Mahdawi v. Trump

On April 14, Mohsen Mahdawi was scheduled to attend his long-awaited naturalization interview at an immigration field office in Colchester, VT. This is one of the final steps in the process of becoming a U.S. citizen. Following his interview, plainclothes ICE agents with hooded clothing and face coverings arrested and detained him, putting him in an unmarked vehicle.

On April 14, Mohsen Mahdawi was scheduled to attend his long-awaited naturalization interview at an immigration field office in Colchester, VT. This is one of the final steps in the process of becoming a U.S. citizen. Following his interview, plainclothes ICE agents with hooded clothing and face coverings arrested and detained him, putting him in an unmarked vehicle.

Within an hour of his arrest, Mr. Mahdawi’s immigration attorneys had filed a habeas petition on his behalf in Vermont District Court. Mr. Mahdawi’s habeas petition argues that his detention violates his constitutional rights, including free speech and due process, and goes beyond the government’s legal authority.

After apprehending him, ICE attempted to put Mr. Mahdawi on a plane to Louisiana. Before the flight departed, Judge William K. Sessions III issued a temporary restraining order that required the government to keep Mr. Mahdawi in Vermont, which was extended by Judge Crawford for another 90 days on April 23. On April 30, the court ordered Mr. Mahdawi released from detention while his case proceeds in federal court.

Mohsen is a lawful permanent resident of the United States who has lived in Vermont for 10 years. He received his bachelor's degree from Columbia University in May and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Diplomacy at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs.