A federal judge blocked the Trump administration from deporting pro-Palestinian Columbia University protest leader due to a procedural error.
Immigration Immigration judge blocks deportation of Columbia anti-Israel agitator Mohsen Mahdawi led anti-Israel protests at Columbia University after Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attack By Anders Hagstrom Fox News Published February 18, 2026 7:03am EST Facebook Twitter Threads Flipboard Comments Print Email Add Fox News on Google close Video DHS shuts down as lawmakers fail to reach deal amid immigration dispute Lawmakers fail to fund the Department of Homeland Security, leading to a partial shutdown. Fox News' Madeleine Rivera reports the latest and Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., weighs in on 'Fox News Live.' NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! A federal judge on Tuesday blocked President Donald Trump's administration from deporting Mohsen Mahdawi, a pro-Palestinian protest leader who led anti-Israel demonstrations at Columbia University. Judge Nina Froes terminated the case after saying federal authorities made a procedural error and failed to certify a document they attempted to submit as evidence."I am grateful to the court for honoring the rule of law and holding the line against the government’s attempts to trample on due process," Mahdawi said in a statement.. "This decision is an important step towards upholding what fear tried to destroy: the right to speak for peace and justice." Department of Homeland Security spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin condemned the ruling on Tuesday, saying the Trump administration remains committed to removing Mahdawi's visa. TRUMP ADMIN CRACKS DOWN ANTISEMITISM AS DOJ OFFICIAL EXPOSES 'VIOLENT RHETORIC' OF RADICAL PROTESTERS Palestinian activist Mohsen Mahdawi will not be deported after Immigration Judge Nina Froes ruled the government failed to provide sufficient evidence. (Amanda Swinhart / AP ) "No activist judge, not this one or any other, is going to stop us from doing that," she said.Froes' ruling relates to a document submitted as evidence by federal attorneys. The document referenced Secretary of State Marco Rubio saying noncitizens can be expelled from the country if their presence may undermine U.S. foreign policy interests. Froes wrote in her ruling that government attorneys submitted a photocopy of the document to the court, but they failed to certify it as required under federal law.FEDERAL JUDGE SIDES WITH ANTI-ISRAEL RINGLEADER MAHMOUD KHALIL, HALTS TRUMP ADMINISTRATION'S DEPORTATION BID Mohsen Mahdawi, accused of antisemitic statements and leading Columbia University protests, wins deportation case after judge finds evidence insufficient. (REUTERS/Ryan Murphy) Mahdawi, 34, was detained in April 2025 during a citizenship appointment in Vermont and spent more than two weeks in custody. He was later released on bail after filing a habeas corpus petition. A federal judge ordered that he not be deported or removed from the state and was released under an order issued by U.S. District Judge Geoffrey Crawford in Burlington.According to the 2025 court filing, Mahdawi co-founded the Palestinian Student Union at Columbia after the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas terrorist attack. He founded the group with Mahmoud Khalil.MORE THAN A DOZEN ANTI-ICE AGITATORS HAULED AWAY BY NYPD NEAR COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY Video Mahdawi's deportation case also stems in part from allegations dating back to 2015, when he was interviewed by the FBI after reportedly making antisemitic remarks at a Vermont gun store and a firearms museum.According to court documents previously cited by Fox News Digital, the store owner said Mahdawi expressed interest in purchasing firearms, including a sniper rifle and an automatic weapon.CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP The owner claimed he had experience building modified 9mm submachine guns "to kill Jews while he was in Palestine." The Associated Press contributed to this report. Anders Hagstrom is a reporter with Fox News Digital covering national politics and major breaking news events. Send tips to
[email protected], or on X: @Hagstrom_Anders. Related Topics ImmigrationIsraelBorder securityHomeland Security More from Politics 2 mins ago Sanders-endorsed Senate candidate knocked for alleged flip-flop to 'have it both ways' on key issue
