Student activist and former Columbia Buddhist Association leader Mohsen Mahdawi detained; facing deportation

[This story has been updated as of April 16.] As The Intercept, The New York Times, and other outlets first reported, Mohsen Mahdawi — a student activist who has been critical of Israel’s actions in Gaza, and is the former president of Columbia University’s Buddhist Association — was detained by immigration officials on Monday, and is understood to be currently held in Vermont after arriving at an immigration center that day in order to take his US citizenship test. A Green Card holder for ten years, Mahdawi has yet to be charged with a crime.

In a statement furnished to CNN, Mahdawi’s attorney, Luna Droubi, writes, “The Trump administration detained Mohsen Mahdawi in direct retaliation for his advocacy on behalf of Palestinians and because of his identity as a Palestinian. His detention is an attempt to silence those who speak out against the atrocities in Gaza. It is also unconstitutional.”

According to The Intercept, Mahdawi’s lawyer’s filing said it “appears that Mahdawi was facing deportation under the obscure provision used in other recent cases that gives Secretary of State Marco Rubio the right to unilaterally declare immigrants as threats to American foreign policy.”

A Vermont federal judge has decreed that Mahdawi is not to be moved out of the United States or Vermont until he orders otherwise. 

While it appears that Mahdawi has been targeted for his activism, the Times reports that he’d taken “a step back from student organizing in March 2024, before the establishment of encampments on campus and the takeover of a campus building, Hamilton Hall. In interviews at the time, he said this was driven in part by his immigration status and his beliefs as a practicing Buddhist. For two years, he was the president of the Columbia University Buddhist Association.”

“My motivation comes out of love now, not out of anger, not out of hate,” he is reported as having told an interviewer.

Mahdawi is, as The Intercept puts it, “the ninth Columbia student targeted for deportation as hundreds across the country have had their visas revoked under the Trump administration’s sweeps and abductions of immigrants.” 

Monk, scholar, and Buddhist Global Relief founder Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi commented on Facebook:

“Another arrest of a Palestinian student at Columbia University: Mohsen Mahdawi. Mohsen was a Buddhist and had even been the president of the Columbia University Buddhist Students Association. I had a discussion with Mohsen over Zoom about eight months ago (I think). He told me that on witnessing the murder of his uncle and several other relatives by the Israeli occupation forces in the West Bank, he was driven to the brink of despair. His quest for a way to deal with his suffering eventually led him to the Buddha’s teachings. In our Zoom call, Mohsen told me of a project he had in mind: to bring together selected legal thinkers, public intellectuals, jurists, and UN insiders to devise plans to reform the governing structure of the UN so that the Big Global Powers would no longer be able to block important resolutions with their veto power and ability to pressure other states. It’s heartening to see that he has the support here from Sen. Bernie Sanders”

The Buddhist Council of New York has also shared a statement of support for Mahdawi:

April 16, 2025

To Whom It May Concern,

On behalf of the Buddhist Council of New York (BCNY), we are writing to express our strong support for Mr. Mohsen Mahdawi, who served as President of the Columbia University Buddhist Association (CUBA) from 2022 to 2023.

Founded in 1985, the Buddhist Council of New York is an association of more than 30 Buddhist temples and sanghas committed to fostering unity, dialogue, and collaboration among diverse Buddhist communities throughout New York City. Our mission is to uphold the Buddha’s teachings while promoting peace, compassion, and justice in society.

During his time at Columbia, Mr. Mahdawi played a key role in organizing Vesak 2023 — a major joint celebration hosted by BCNY and CUBA to commemorate the Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and passing. His behind-the-scenes dedication and leadership were integral to the success of the event and reflected his deep commitment to inclusivity, interfaith collaboration, and meaningful spiritual engagement.

We are deeply concerned that Mr. Mahdawi is now facing serious threats to his immigration status due to unfounded accusations—including allegations of anti-Semitism—that are entirely inconsistent with the character and values we have come to know. Throughout our association with him, Mr. Mahdawi has consistently demonstrated a commitment to peace, dignity, and nonviolence. At no time has he endorsed or engaged in hate speech or harmful conduct of any kind.

While BCNY members were not present at last year’s campus protests, we trust the reporting by 60 Minutes, which noted that Mr. Mahdawi publicly denounced inflammatory anti-Jewish and anti-Israel remarks. This is fully in line with the principled, peace-oriented individual we have come to know — someone guided by integrity, conscience, and compassion.

The Buddhist Council of New York stands in firm support of Mr. Mohsen Mahdawi and affirms his steadfast dedication to nonviolence, inclusion, and respectful dialogue. His leadership exemplifies the values of mutual understanding, coexistence, and a commitment to the greater good. We hope this letter serves as a clear testament to his character and his ongoing efforts to help build a more just and harmonious society.

Should you require any further information, please feel free to contact us directly.

With sincere respect,
Board Members
Buddhist Council of New York
BuddhistCouncilNY.org | buddhistcouncilny<at>gmail.com