Appeals Court Overturns Release of Pro-Palestinian Activist Mohsen Mahdawi

The United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit unanimously overturned a lower court order that had released Mohsen Mahdawi, a pro-Palestinian activist and former Columbia University student, from immigration detention. The appeals panel ruled that U.S. District Judge Geoffrey W. Crawford overstepped his authority by intervening in the case before it had fully progressed through the federal immigration court system.

Mahdawi, a lawful permanent resident, was arrested in April 2025 during a citizenship interview in Colchester, Vermont. The Trump administration has sought his deportation for over a year, claiming his activism could undermine Middle East peace deals. While Judge Crawford had previously released Mahdawi on bail, the appellate court's decision removes that protection and allows U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to re-arrest and deport him.

The court did not rule on the merits of Mahdawi's claims that he was unconstitutionally targeted for his speech, stating he must first exhaust all options within the immigration court system. The American Civil Liberties Union, representing Mahdawi, argues that the government cannot legally deport or detain him while the appeals process continues. This ruling follows a similar decision regarding another student, Mahmoud Khalil, which legal observers suggest may restrict the ability of non-citizens to seek release from immigration jails based on First Amendment claims.