Vermont Man Faces Deportation After Pro-Palestinian Protests

The Trump administration is appealing a judge's decision to allow Mohsen Mahdawi to stay in the country.

Mar. 18, 2026 at 7:18am

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Mohsen Mahdawi, a Vermont resident with a green card who has lived in the U.S. legally for over a decade, is facing deportation again after the Trump administration appealed a federal judge's decision that allowed him to stay. Mahdawi had been detained by ICE in 2025 after participating in pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University, with the government claiming his activism had "serious adverse foreign policy consequences for the United States."

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing tensions between the government's immigration policies and the constitutional right to free speech and political dissent. Critics argue the Trump administration is attempting to use immigration law to silence those who speak out against U.S. policies related to Israel and Palestine.

The details

In February, a judge blocked Mahdawi's deportation order, ruling that the evidence the government submitted could not be authenticated and therefore could not be used in court. However, the Trump administration has now appealed that decision in hopes of deporting Mahdawi. Mahdawi's lawyers have filed a cross-appeal to get the case permanently dismissed.

  • Mahdawi was detained by ICE in April 2025 at a citizenship interview in Vermont.
  • In February 2026, a judge blocked Mahdawi's deportation order.
  • The Trump administration appealed the decision on February 25, 2026.

The players

Mohsen Mahdawi

A Vermont resident with a green card who has lived in the U.S. legally for over a decade and participated in pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University.

Trump administration

The former U.S. presidential administration that is appealing the federal judge's decision to allow Mahdawi to stay in the country.

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What they’re saying

“This appeal is not about me. It is about whether the Trump administration can weaponize immigration law to silence dissent and punish those who dare to speak against Israel's genocide and aggression.”

— Mohsen Mahdawi

What’s next

The 2nd Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals has docketed the case and will review the last trial, hear from both sides, and eventually make a decision.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing tension between the government's immigration policies and the constitutional right to free speech and political dissent, with critics arguing the Trump administration is attempting to use immigration law to silence those who speak out against U.S. policies related to Israel and Palestine.