U.S. Appeals Court Bars Judges from Blocking Trump's Immigration Crackdown

A federal appeals court ruled that a lower‑court judge exceeded her authority by ordering the release of Mohsen Mahdawi, a Palestinian green‑card holder and Columbia University student. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit held that federal law prevents courts from intervening at that stage of immigration proceedings. The majority opinion stated, “We conclude that the district court should not have reached this question.”

The decision reverses a lower‑court finding that the Trump administration was likely targeting Mahdawi for his pro‑Palestinian activism. Secretary of State Marco Rubio had designated Mahdawi as a potential foreign‑policy risk, a label the administration has used to pursue the removal of several foreign‑student activists. Mahdawi may now seek judicial review after a final removal order is issued.