International Student Arrested at Naturalization Interview Walks at Commencement at Columbia

Mohsen Mahdawi, who the Trump administration placed in custody when he appeared at his naturalization interview, “formally received his degree in philosophy in October, painted a scale of justice in gold on his graduation cap [for commencement ceremonies at Columbia], which was also adorned with symbols of refugees, hope and love,” according to Gothamist.

A lawful permanent resident, Mahdawi is among several pro-Palestinian university students detained by the Trump administration and put into removal proceedings on grounds that their views amounted to antisemitism and were harmful to U.S. foreign policy.

KJ