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Judge Rules Against Trump's Deportation of Activist Student

2/18/2026

Summary

Story summary

Immigration Judge Nina Froes ruled that Trump administration failed to authenticate evidence for Mohsen Mahdawi's deportation, memo from Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Mohsen Mahdawi, a Columbia University student and activist, spent 16 days in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention after his citizenship interview.
He argued his detention was retaliatory and cited due process concerns amid the administration's crackdown on student protesters.
The government may appeal the ruling.

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Story summary

Immigration Judge Nina Froes ruled that Trump administration failed to authenticate evidence for Mohsen Mahdawi's deportation, memo from Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Mohsen Mahdawi, a Columbia University student and activist, spent 16 days in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention after his citizenship interview.
He argued his detention was retaliatory and cited due process concerns amid the administration's crackdown on student protesters.
The government may appeal the ruling.