Trump Administration Seeks to Reincarcerate Columbia Student Mohsen Mahdawi Before Conservative Judges

Mohsen Mahdawi Faces Conservative Judges as Trump Administration Tries to Lock Him Back Up In a high-stakes court battle, the Trump administration will argue before a panel of three conservative federal judges on Tuesday that Columbia University graduate student Mohsen Mahdawi should be put back behind bars. The government claims that Mahdawi, a Palestinian student protest leader, poses a flight risk and is a threat to national security. According to sources close to the case, Judge Thomas B. Russell, one of the conservative judges presiding over the hearing, has already expressed support for the government's position. "They're arguing that I should be put in prison just for speaking up against the genocide of my people," Mahdawi told The Intercept in a recent interview. Mahdawi was taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in April after he arrived at what he thought was his naturalization interview to become a U.S. citizen. A federal judge later ordered his release on bail in May, but the Trump administration has been working to re-imprison him and remove him from the country. The case has sparked widespread outrage among human rights activists and advocates for immigrant rights. "This is a clear example of the Trump administration's attempt to silence dissenting voices and punish those who speak out against its policies," said Sarah Halvorson, a spokesperson for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). Mahdawi's supporters argue that his case is not just about immigration policy, but also about the government's efforts to suppress free speech and assembly. "This is part of a larger project by the Trump administration to crush its political opponents," Mahdawi noted in an interview with The Intercept. The hearing on Tuesday will mark the latest development in a case that has drawn attention from human rights organizations and advocacy groups across the country. As the court battle unfolds, Mahdawi's supporters are urging the public to remain vigilant and continue to speak out against what they see as an attack on civil liberties. Background: Mohsen Mahdawi is a Palestinian student who has been living in the United States for several years. He was arrested by ICE agents in April after attending a protest outside of the Israeli consulate in New York City. The Trump administration claims that Mahdawi's activism and advocacy work make him a threat to national security. Context: The case has sparked concerns about the government's use of immigration law as a tool for suppressing dissenting voices. Human rights advocates argue that the Trump administration is using its power to target individuals who speak out against its policies, particularly those related to Israel-Palestine. Additional Perspectives: "This case highlights the dangers of allowing the executive branch to wield unchecked power over immigration policy," said Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) in a statement. "We must stand with Mohsen Mahdawi and all those who are fighting for their rights and freedoms." The hearing on Tuesday is expected to draw attention from human rights organizations, advocacy groups, and lawmakers across the country. Current Status: The court battle between the Trump administration and Mohsen Mahdawi continues. The outcome of the hearing on Tuesday will determine whether Mahdawi will be allowed to remain in the United States or face deportation. *Reporting by Theintercept.*