Vermont District Judge Geoffrey Crawford ordered the release of Columbia University student Mohsen Mahdawi on bail, pending the court’s ruling on a habeas petition challenging his detention. This decision represents a huge victory in Mahdawi’s case. It has garnered the imagination of civil rights advocates and legal scholars alike.
Though a permanent U.S. resident with green card status, Mohsen Mahdawi was subjected to sudden detention. This was only a week after he passed his American citizenship interview in mid-April. His arrest shocked the community and raised serious questions about how the immigration system treats our country’s lawful, permanent residents. The ACLU, along with other attorneys, are on Mahdawi’s legal team. They are directly challenging the legality of his detention, arguing that it deprives him of his rights.
The ruling by Judge Crawford allows Mahdawi to return to his studies and life in New York while awaiting further legal proceedings. The habeas petition disputes the justifications for his detention. It asks whether the legal justification is sufficient to continue to detain him involuntarily.
The case has garnered significant media attention, highlighting the broader implications for immigrants and residents navigating the citizenship process. With Mahdawi’s release, advocates hope to bring attention to potential injustices faced by individuals seeking citizenship or residency in the United States.
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