In a significant ruling for immigration and free speech rights, an immigration judge has halted the Trump administration's attempt to deport Mohsen Mahdawi, a Palestinian graduate student and prominent activist who organized protests at Columbia University against Israel's actions in Gaza. The decision, issued by Judge Nina Froes and made public on Tuesday by Mahdawi's attorneys, dismissed the deportation case due to a procedural error by government lawyers who failed to properly certify a key document intended as evidence.
Mahdawi, a legal permanent resident in the United States for the past decade, has been at the center of a contentious battle with federal authorities since his arrest last April. What he believed was a routine citizenship interview turned into an immigration detention when agents took him into custody. He was released just two weeks later following an order from a federal judge, but the government persisted in its efforts to remove him from the country.
The core of the government's case against Mahdawi rested on a memo from Secretary of State Marco Rubio, which argued that noncitizens whose presence could undermine U.S. foreign policy interests should be expelled. Attorneys for the Department of Homeland Security submitted a photocopy of this memo to Judge Froes, but as the judge noted in her ruling, they neglected to certify it under federal law, rendering it inadmissible. This misstep led to the termination of the proceedings.
"I am grateful to the court for honoring the rule of law and holding the line against the government's attempts to trample on due process," Mahdawi said in a statement released by his legal team. "This decision is an important step towards upholding what fear tried to destroy: the right to speak for peace and justice."
The ruling represents another obstacle for the Trump administration's broader campaign to target pro-Palestinian activists on college campuses. Since taking office, officials have arrested and pursued deportation against several international students involved in demonstrations criticizing Israel and the ongoing war in Gaza. These actions have invoked a federal law allowing the secretary of state to revoke visas for individuals deemed to pose "adverse foreign policy consequences" for the United States.
Tricia McLaughlin, a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security who is set to leave her position next week, sharply criticized the judge's decision in a statement to the Associated Press. She described Mahdawi as a leader of "pro-terrorist riots" and insisted that his visa should be revoked. "No activist judge, not this one or any other, is going to stop us from doing that," McLaughlin added.
Mahdawi's attorneys have portrayed the government's moves as retaliation for his protected speech under the First Amendment. The activist, who has denied accusations of using "threatening rhetoric and intimidation of pro-Israeli bystanders" during Columbia protests, is also pursuing a separate federal district court case claiming his initial detention was unlawful. That litigation remains active, according to his lawyers.
This case is part of a pattern of legal challenges involving campus activists. For instance, Mahmoud Khalil, another Columbia University green card holder and activist, was arrested in March 2025. An immigration judge ordered his deportation in September, a decision he is currently appealing. Khalil was briefly freed from detention last summer by a U.S. district court judge, but that ruling was overturned last month by a panel of appellate judges. He plans to contest that reversal as well.
In a related development last month, a different immigration judge blocked the government's effort to deport Rümeysa Öztürk, a graduate student at Tufts University. Öztürk's case stemmed from an op-ed she wrote criticizing the school's handling of the Gaza war protests. The judge's intervention prevented her removal, highlighting ongoing tensions between federal immigration enforcement and academic freedoms.
The protests at Columbia University, where Mahdawi played a leading role, erupted in the spring of 2024 amid widespread campus unrest over the Israel-Hamas conflict. Demonstrators called for divestment from companies tied to Israel and an end to U.S. support for the war in Gaza, which has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths according to Palestinian health authorities. The encampments and rallies drew national attention, with clashes between protesters, counter-demonstrators, and police.
Federal officials have accused several participants, including Mahdawi, of antisemitism and disrupting campus life. The students and their supporters counter that such labels are being used to suppress legitimate political expression. Lawsuits filed by affected individuals argue that the deportations infringe on constitutional rights, a claim the government has disputed by emphasizing national security and foreign policy priorities.
The Trump administration's approach builds on executive actions from earlier in the decade, when similar efforts targeted visa holders perceived as threats. Immigration experts note that procedural requirements, like document certification, are designed to ensure fairness in removal proceedings. Judge Froes' ruling underscores how adherence to these rules can derail even high-profile cases.
While the government retains the option to appeal Judge Froes' decision, no immediate action has been announced. Mahdawi's release last April came after public outcry and legal intervention, and his attorneys expressed optimism that the latest victory could pave the way for full resolution of his status. "This is a win for due process," one of his lawyers told reporters outside the courthouse in New York.
Beyond individual cases, the deportations have sparked debate in academic and legal circles about the balance between immigration control and free speech. Organizations like the American Civil Liberties Union have filed amicus briefs in related suits, arguing that the administration's tactics chill dissent on U.S. campuses. Conversely, pro-Israel groups have welcomed the crackdown, citing rising incidents of harassment during protests.
As the legal battles continue, Mahdawi has vowed to keep advocating for Palestinian rights. His experience illustrates the high stakes for noncitizens engaging in political activism in the U.S., where a green card offers residency but not the full protections of citizenship. With appeals possible and parallel cases unfolding, the outcome could influence how federal authorities handle similar situations in the future.
The ruling comes at a time of heightened scrutiny on immigration policies under the Trump administration, which has prioritized border security and visa revocations. Critics, including human rights advocates, warn that targeting activists sets a dangerous precedent, while supporters argue it safeguards American interests abroad. For now, Mahdawi remains in the country, his deportation bid stalled by what his team calls a triumph of legal rigor over political expediency.