US appeals court overturns order to release pro-Palestinian activist

A US appeals court has reversed a lower court's decision that required the release of Mohsen Mahdawi, a pro-Palestinian activist and permanent US resident. The ruling, issued on Tuesday, does not mean Mahdawi will be rearrested, but it could make it harder for other Green Card holders to rely on free speech protections when challenging immigration detention. Mahdawi, 35, was a master's student at Columbia University when he was detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. He was taken into custody in April 2025 during an interview for US citizenship in Vermont. His detention followed his participation in campus protests against Israel's military actions in Gaza. Earlier this year, a federal judge in Vermont ordered Mahdawi to be released on bond, ruling that as a Green Card holder, he holds the same First Amendment rights as US citizens. The appeals court disagreed, overturning that order. The case has drawn attention from free-speech and pro-Palestinian advocates, who argue that the detention is politically motivated. Mahdawi remains in immigration detention pending further legal proceedings. The appeals court's decision adds to ongoing debates about the limits of free speech for non-citizens in the United States.