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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsImmigration judge rules Mohsen Mahdawi can't be deported
https://vtdigger.org/2026/02/17/immigration-judge-rules-mohsen-mahdawi-cant-be-deported/Shaun Robinson - VTDigger
The federal judge, Nina Froes, found that evidence the Trump administration submitted to show why Mahdawi should be removed from the country was not admissible in court, according to new legal filings.

An immigration judge has blocked the Trump administration from deporting Mohsen Mahdawi, a Columbia University student and pro-Palestinian activist who was arrested by federal agents in Colchester last year during a U.S. citizenship interview.
The federal judge, Nina Froes, ruled Friday that evidence the Trump administration had submitted to show why Mahdawi should be removed from the country was not admissible in court, "as it lacked proper authentication" under judicial rules, according to a copy of the ruling, which was shared by Mahdawi's attorneys on Tuesday.
The Trump administration could appeal Froes' ruling. Meanwhile, Mahdawi's lawyers said in a court filing Tuesday they would continue to challenge the legal merits of the Palestinian student's detention in U.S. District Court, which is separate from the immigration court system. The latter is part of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Mahdawi, who lives in White River Junction, was arrested by federal agents last April and was held in federal custody in a Vermont prison. Two weeks later, a federal district court judge in Vermont, Geoffrey W. Crawford, ordered Mahdawi's release on bail while his case continued to be heard. The Trump administration is still in the process of appealing Crawford's decision before a federal appeals panel in New York.
. . .
The federal judge, Nina Froes, ruled Friday that evidence the Trump administration had submitted to show why Mahdawi should be removed from the country was not admissible in court, "as it lacked proper authentication" under judicial rules, according to a copy of the ruling, which was shared by Mahdawi's attorneys on Tuesday.
The Trump administration could appeal Froes' ruling. Meanwhile, Mahdawi's lawyers said in a court filing Tuesday they would continue to challenge the legal merits of the Palestinian student's detention in U.S. District Court, which is separate from the immigration court system. The latter is part of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Mahdawi, who lives in White River Junction, was arrested by federal agents last April and was held in federal custody in a Vermont prison. Two weeks later, a federal district court judge in Vermont, Geoffrey W. Crawford, ordered Mahdawi's release on bail while his case continued to be heard. The Trump administration is still in the process of appealing Crawford's decision before a federal appeals panel in New York.
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Immigration judge rules Mohsen Mahdawi can't be deported (Original Post)
erronis
16 hrs ago
OP
If he can't be deported, is the judge ordering he be granted permanent residency?
MichMan
14 hrs ago
#2
Coldwater
(1,167 posts)1. A Federal Judge also ruled
MichMan
(16,929 posts)2. If he can't be deported, is the judge ordering he be granted permanent residency?
erronis
(23,284 posts)3. Interesting question. I doubt the judge has the authority to do that - so where does that leave his residency status?
erronis
(23,284 posts)4. Further reporting at The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/feb/17/judge-mohsen-mahdawi
I really want to call out the excellent reporting that a small news organization can do. Kudos, VTDigger!
I really want to call out the excellent reporting that a small news organization can do. Kudos, VTDigger!
