The decision underscores ongoing federal efforts to address campus-based political advocacy through immigration enforcement.
Published On 21 Jul 2026
The United States Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit has reversed a lower court’s decision to free Mahdawi from immigration detention, aligning with the administration’s broader strategy to restrict foreign nationals involved in campus activism.
On Tuesday, the appeals court overturned US District Judge Geoffrey Crawford’s 2025 order granting Mahdawi bond, asserting that the Trump administration’s immigration actions did not constitute “arbitrary or capricious” enforcement. The ruling emphasizes the government’s sovereign discretion in managing immigration processes.
Mahdawi, a Palestinian national born in the West Bank, has been charged with no criminal offense despite remaining outside custody while challenging his deportation. His case has drawn significant attention as one of several legal battles targeting pro-Palestinian student activists under the Trump administration’s heightened immigration enforcement policies.
In May, the Board of Immigration Appeals reinstated deportation proceedings after reversing a February ruling by former immigration judge Nina Froes, who had blocked the administration’s efforts. Froes, who faced criticism for her critical judgments, was subsequently terminated by the Trump administration.
Mahdawi’s detention began in April 2025 following an arrest after attending what he described as a citizenship application interview. Legal advocates argue that his removal reflects a pattern of targeting individuals based on political expression rather than criminal activity.
Human rights organizations have condemned the Trump administration’s approach, characterizing it as retaliatory measures against protected speech under the First Amendment. Legal experts note the administration’s reliance on ambiguous immigration statutes to circumvent constitutional protections for political advocacy.
