Judge Halts Deportation of Palestinian Activist from Columbia University

Feb 18, 2026

53 min

Feb 18, 2026 04:31

Judge blocks deportation of Palestinian activist who led protests at Columbia

## Deportation Blocked

An immigration judge has halted the deportation of Mohsen Mahdawi, a Palestinian student and activist at Columbia University. The decision was made by Judge Nina Froes, who cited a procedural error by government attorneys as the reason for terminating the case.

## Procedural Misstep

The government failed to properly certify a document they intended to use as evidence, leading to the case's dismissal. This ruling is part of a broader challenge against the U.S. government's efforts to deport pro-Palestinian activists.

## Background on Mahdawi

Mahdawi, a legal permanent resident in the U.S. for ten years, was born in a refugee camp in the West Bank. He was arrested during a citizenship interview but released shortly after. The government has continued to pursue his deportation, citing potential threats to U.S. foreign policy interests.

## Ongoing Legal Battles

Mahdawi has also filed a separate case in federal court, claiming unlawful detention. This case is still active. Meanwhile, the Department of Homeland Security maintains that Mahdawi's actions justify revoking his visa, despite the judge's ruling.

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