Pro-Palestinian University Protestor Released from Federal Custody

Mohsen Mahdawi, a Columbia University Philosophy student who was arrested and detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (“ICE”) agents after attending his naturalization interview in Vermont has been released from federal detention while his immigration case proceeds. He had been under ICE custody since April 14, 2025.

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New DHS Registration Requirement for Foreign Nationals from April 11, 2025

On April 11, 2025, a significant change to US immigration enforcement took effect. The United States Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”), through US Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”), began implementing a new registration requirement for certain foreign nationals physically present in the United States for 30 days or longer. This change stems from President Trump’s January 2025 Executive Order titled Protecting the American People Against Invasion and is detailed in an Interim Final Rule published in the Federal Register on March 12, 2025. This post explains what the new registration requirement entails, who it affects, and what actions foreign nationals must take to remain in compliance with US immigration law.

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DHS To Monitor Noncitizens’ Social Media for Antisemitism

On April 9, 2025, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) announced it will begin to screen  noncitizens’ social media posts for evidence of antisemitic activity and use the content as grounds for denying immigration benefits requests. The policy, which will go in effect immediately, will affect foreign nationals applying for permanent resident status, foreign students, and foreign nationals “affiliated with educational institutions linked to antisemitic activity.” 

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