A federal judge on Wednesday ordered the release of Mohsen Mahdawi, a Palestinian Columbia University student detained by immigration officials during his U.S. citizenship interview. Mahdawi, a legal permanent resident since 2014, had led protests against Israel’s war in Gaza, where over 52,000 Palestinians have died. Upon release from a Vermont prison, he led chants of “No fear” and “Free Palestine,” urging global solidarity for democracy and humanity.

U.S. District Judge Geoffrey Crawford found that Mahdawi had presented strong evidence suggesting his arrest was an attempt to suppress his speech, protected under the First Amendment. Despite government claims that Mahdawi posed a national security risk—partly based on a dismissed 2015 FBI investigation—the judge concluded he wasn't dangerous.

Mahdawi, born in a refugee camp in the West Bank, co-founded Columbia's Palestinian Student Union. His colleague, Mahmoud Khalil, remains detained in Louisiana. The judge likened the recent immigration arrests to historic political crackdowns in the U.S.

Mahdawi, who plans to pursue a master’s at Columbia, will attend his graduation next month. Addressing President Trump and officials, he declared, “I am not afraid of you,” adding, “Love is our way.”

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