He led major protests at his university. Now the government is sending him away.
An immigration judge ordered Mohsen Mahdawi to leave the country after federal agents detained him during a routine citizenship meeting.
Speaking up for what you believe in should be a basic right. But for one student, it became a ticket out of the country.
WHAT HAPPENED
Mohsen Mahdawi was a graduate student at Columbia University. Since 2023, he led major pro-Palestinian protests on campus.
In April 2025, immigration agents detained him. This happened while he was at a meeting to try to become a U.S. citizen. Government officials said his protests could hurt relations with other countries.
On June 10, 2026, an immigration court ordered him deported to Jordan. The order came after Mahdawi gave up his requests to stay in the United States.
What the evidence shows
- Mahdawi led student protests at Columbia University starting in 2023.
- Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detained him in April 2025.
- The arrest happened during his citizenship interview.
- An immigration judge signed the deportation order on June 10, 2026.
- The order directs his removal to Jordan after he dropped his asylum claims.
THE BIGGER QUESTION
This case raises a tough question for students and activists. Where is the line between free speech and national security?
If speaking out at a university can get you sent away, many people might choose to stay silent. We have to ask if our schools are still safe places to share big ideas.
THE OTHER SIDE
Government officials argue that foreign students must follow strict rules to stay in the country. They say activism that hurts foreign policy goes beyond normal student life.
Based on the court papers, this argument held up because Mahdawi stopped fighting his asylum case.
WHAT HAPPENS NOW
This ruling could make other foreign students afraid to speak up. It shows that temporary visas do not protect you if the government dislikes your speech.
For Mahdawi, he now faces a return to Jordan. He leaves behind his studies and the movement he helped build.
WHAT WE STILL DON'T KNOW
Why did Mahdawi decide to drop his asylum and relief claims?
- Did Columbia University try to help him stay in the country?
- Will this case change how the government treats other student activists?
Transparency notes
Published: Jun 10, 2026. No major post-publication update has been logged.
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Sources
External source links were not provided in this article body. Our editors reference publicly available materials and update stories as new verified information arrives.