**US Immigration Crackdown: Palestinian Student Detained Amid Controversy**
A Palestinian student has been detained by US immigration authorities, sparking concerns about the Trump administration’s crackdown on international students. The student, Mr. Mahdawi, was born in a refugee camp in the West Bank and moved to the US in 2014. He has been living in Vermont with permanent resident status since 2015.
According to his attorney, Mr. Mahdawi was granted a temporary restraining order by Judge William Sessions, preventing immigration authorities from moving him out of Vermont or expelling him from the country. The court filing describes Mr. Mahdawi as a committed Buddhist who believes in non-violence and empathy as a central tenet of his religion.
This detention comes amid an immigration crackdown by President Trump’s administration, which has revoked hundreds of international student visas. Last month, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that at least 300 foreign students’ visas had been revoked in an effort to tackle antisemitism on university campuses. Critics argue that US officials are falsely accusing students of anti-Jewish bigotry and violating their right to free speech.
**Criticism from Senator Sanders**
Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders has spoken out against Mr. Mahdawi’s detention, saying he was illegally detained by ICE during what was supposed to be the final step in his citizenship process. The senator demanded that Mr. Mahdawi be afforded due process under the law and immediately released from detention.
**Constitutional Crisis Looms**
Judge Sessions also raised concerns about a potential constitutional crisis if the Trump administration fails to release a Turkish student, Rumeysa Ozturk, who was arrested by immigration authorities last month. Judge Sessions questioned whether the government would provoke a “constitutional crisis” by not releasing Ms. Ozturk from custody if the court were to determine her arrest was unlawful.
**More Controversy Ahead**
Meanwhile, lawyers for Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University protest leader, are currently challenging an immigration judge’s ruling allowing the government to deport him as a national security risk. Mr. Khalil was detained last month outside his campus accommodation and transferred to a Louisiana detention centre.
As the controversy surrounding US immigration policies continues to grow, one thing is clear: international students in the US are facing increased scrutiny and restrictions on their rights. The BBC will continue to monitor this situation and provide updates as more information becomes available.
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