A federal judge ruled Wednesday that Mohsen Mahdawi, a Palestinian activist and Columbia University student, can attend his college graduation amid the Trump administration’s efforts to deport him.  

Mohsen, who was recently released from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention, will be allowed to go to Columbia’s commencement on May 21. 

“Mr. Mahdawi is permitted to travel to New York State on or about May 15, 2025, returning to Vermont on or about May 25, 2025, in order to attend his graduation ceremony at Columbia University and related events,” Judge Geoffrey Crawford wrote.  

A green card holder targeted over his on-campus activism, Mahdawi was arrested during his naturalization hearing in April, with the federal government attempting to deport him under a provision that says the secretary of State can target international individuals who threatened the foreign policy of the United States.  

Prosecutors also argued against him being allowed to attend his graduation.

Mahdawi has used his freedom to speak out against the Trump administration and Columbia’s actions against pro-Palestinian protesters.  

“Unlike other students who continue to languish in Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody, I’ve been afforded the ‘privilege’ to seek justice while not in prison,” he said after becoming the first high-profile activist to be released following the Trump administration’s crackdown on foreign students.  

“Despite spending 16 nights in a jail cell, I never lost hope in the inevitability of justice and the principles of democracy,” Mahdawi added. “I wanted to become a citizen of this country because I believe in the principles that it enshrines.”