By Guy Page

Mohsen Mahdawi, the anti-Israel Palestinian activist and White River Junction resident detained by ICE April 14 and released on bail April 30, is now free to travel throughout the United States, U.S. District Court Judge Geoffrey Crawford ruled July 17.

Mahdawi, a green card holder, was detained by ICE April 14. His federal court case is ongoing. The U.S. State Department wishes to deport him due to his leadership role in Columbia University anti-Israel campus activism. Backed by a host of lawyers and activist groups, as well as many Vermont legislators, Mahdawi is fighting the deportation order in federal court.

Mahdawi was released on bail April 30 and walked the graduation stage during the General Studies Class Day at Columbia University just days later. He is reportedly pursuing graduate studies there.

Crawford’s initial bail limited his travel. But in response to a motion made by Mahdawi this summer, Crawford ruled:

• The restrictions previously imposed on travel are removed. Mahdawi is free to travel within the United States for all legal purposes. 

• Mahdawi is free to take part fully in his graduate studies in New York City and “to spend the time required to make these a success.”

• Mahdawi must continue to make Vermont his primary residence and shall attend federal and immigration court hearings and meetings with his attorneys as these are scheduled.

In particular, Crawford’s July 17 order gives Mahdawi carte blanche to speak at political events and demonstrations anywhere in the U.S.:

“As the Government’s opposition indicates, the real dispute concerns Mr. Mahdawi’s plans to attend and speak at political events in the District of Columbia and across the United States. (See Doc. 82 at 2 (“Mahdawi … seeks to travel to Washington not only to ‘testify in front of Congress,’ but also to engage in other, unspecified, ‘advocacy efforts he hopes to involve himself with.”‘).) The Government’s position that, as a permanent resident, Mr. Mahdawi is subject to restrictions on free speech not imposed on citizens lies at the heart of the dispute in this case. These issues are presently on appeal, and the court will not expand on its previous statements. 

“But for purposes of bail and release, the court will not restrict Mr. Mahdawi’s right to express himself with the same freedom the Constitution guarantees to us all. There is no evidence that the speaking engagements and other events Mr. Mahdawi wishes to attend are evidence of a risk of flight or danger to the community.”

In previous orders, Crawford brushed aside the government’s contention that a decade ago he sought to buy a machine gun and in 2019 entered the U.S. from Canada (after a vacation trip to the Caribbean) with illegal drugs in his possession.