Columbia student detained while attending naturalization interview, lawyer says

Immigration authorities detained another Columbia University student in “direct retaliation” for his participation in protests against the Israel-Gaza war, his lawyer said Monday.

Immigration authorities detained another Columbia University student in “direct retaliation” for his participation in protests against the Israel-Gaza war, his lawyer said Monday.

Mohsen Mahdawi, who was born and raised in a refugee camp in the West Bank and is a U.S. permanent resident, was taken into custody by the Department of Homeland Security during his naturalization interview in Vermont on Monday, the lawyer, Luna Droubi, said in a filing.

Mahdawi was detained amid a widening and unprecedented crackdown on foreign students. Video posted by a Vermont lawmaker showed three officers, two of whom were masked, escorting Mahdawi in handcuffs to an SUV. 

Authorities escort Mohsen Mahdawi in Colchester, Vt., on Monday.Christopher HelaliAndrew Delaney, another one of his attorneys, said Mahdawi is being held in Vermont. A petition challenging his detention says it appears he was taken into custody for deportation.

A federal judge temporarily blocked his removal Monday.