Mohsen Mahdawi’s location unknown after Ice arrest in Vermont
Anna Betts
The legal professional of Mohsen Mahdawi, a Palestinian inexperienced card holder and scholar at Columbia College was apprehended by US immigration authorities in Vermont on Monday, mentioned Mahdawi’s whereabouts are unknown.
Mahdawi, who was a frontrunner of the pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia final spring, was arrested by Ice on Monday morning in Colchester, Vermont, whereas he was attending a naturalization interview, his lawyer mentioned in a press release to the Guardian.
“We’ve not acquired affirmation as to his whereabouts regardless of quite a few makes an attempt to find him,” his legal professional, Luna Droubi, mentioned.
“We’ve filed a habeas petition within the District of Vermont and have sought a brief restraining order restraining the federal government from eradicating him from the jurisdiction or from the nation.”
Key occasions
Senate Democratic chief Chuck Schumer referred to as for the immidiate launch and return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia to the US.
“The regulation is evident, due course of was grossly violated, and the Supreme Courtroom has clearly spoken that the Trump administration should facilitate and effectuate the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia. He must be returned to the U.S. instantly,” Schumer mentioned. “Due course of and the rule of regulation are cornerstones of American society for residents and noncitizens alike and to not comply with that’s harmful and outrageous. A menace to 1 is a menace to all.”
Silky Shah, govt director of the human rights advocacy group Detention Watch Community mentioned that Donald Trump is taking steps to “normalize the kidnapping and removing of individuals to a different nation with out due course of”.
“At the moment’s White Home assembly between Trump and Bukele ought to alarm everybody. Trump is taking monumental but calculated steps to increase the scope of who may be subjected to arrest, incarceration, and deportation, and normalize the kidnapping and removing of individuals to a different nation with out due course of,” Shah mentioned. “The Trump and Bukele partnership to outsource incarceration to El Salvador is setting a harmful precedent of complete disdain for primary human rights – not just for migrants, however for everybody in the USA, together with residents and residents, and particularly Black and brown people who find themselves disproportionately focused by the US’s unjust prison authorized system.”
Mohsen Mahdawi’s location unknown after Ice arrest in Vermont
Anna Betts
The legal professional of Mohsen Mahdawi, a Palestinian inexperienced card holder and scholar at Columbia College was apprehended by US immigration authorities in Vermont on Monday, mentioned Mahdawi’s whereabouts are unknown.
Mahdawi, who was a frontrunner of the pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia final spring, was arrested by Ice on Monday morning in Colchester, Vermont, whereas he was attending a naturalization interview, his lawyer mentioned in a press release to the Guardian.
“We’ve not acquired affirmation as to his whereabouts regardless of quite a few makes an attempt to find him,” his legal professional, Luna Droubi, mentioned.
“We’ve filed a habeas petition within the District of Vermont and have sought a brief restraining order restraining the federal government from eradicating him from the jurisdiction or from the nation.”
After Democratic senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland introduced he would journey to El Salvador to attempt to go to his constituent Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, the White Home responded by falsely equating Garcia to an “unlawful immigrant gang member”.
In a publish on X, the administration wrote to Van Hollen: “Rachel Morin, a Maryland mom, was really your constituent and she or he was murdered by an unlawful immigrant gang member. Now, you’re now combating to return one to the USA.”
Morin was raped, crushed and strangled to loss of life in August 2023, and Victor Antonio Martinez-Hernandez, a Salvadorian native who illegally entered the USA in 2023 was charged together with her loss of life. He has not but been convicted – a verdict within the case is predicted this week.
Abrego Garcia, in the meantime, was not convicted of any crimes and there’s no proof he was a member of a gang. He had, in truth, fled gang violence in his residence nation when he got here to the US in 2011. A decide had granted him a “withholding of removing”, permitting him to remain within the US legally. The administration admitted in court docket filings that Abrego Garcia had been despatched to El Salvador on account of an administrative error.
Nonetheless, the administration has continued in its rhetoric to forged Abrego Garcia as a prison.
On Fox Information, Trump adviser Stephen Miller contradicted the justice division’s court docket submitting conceding that Abrego Garcia was eliminated in error, and went so far as to say: “He was not mistakenly despatched to El Salvador. This was the best individual despatched to the best place.”
The day thus far
At a gathering within the Oval Workplace as we speak, Donald Trump and ElSalvador president Nayib Bukele each claimed they didn’t have the facility to convey Kilmar Abrego Garcia again to the US, regardless of the Trump administration conceding in court docket paperwork that he was deported by mistake and within the face of the supreme court docket upholding an order to facilitate his return. US legal professional basic Pam Bondi mentioned the choice was El Salvador’s to make, including: “In the event that they wish to, we would offer a airplane.” Baselessly labeling Abrego Garcia a “terrorist”, Bukele refused to order his return, calling the thought “preposterous”, and in addition dominated out releasing him inside El Salvador. White Home deputy chief of workers Stephen Miller went additional, saying that even when El Salvador did ship Abrego Garcia again to the US, the administration would deport him once more. “No model of this legally ends with him ever dwelling right here,” he mentioned. All of them repeatedly referred to Abrego Garcia as an “unlawful alien”, which he was not, and Miller insisted that the unlawful deportation was not a mistake. In the meantime, Trump reaffirmed that he’s “all for” deporting naturalized Americans to El Salvador, and urged Bukele to construct extra Cecot-style prisons so the US may deport “as many as doable”.
It comes as one other chief of Columbia College’s campus protest motion towards Israel’s battle in Gaza was arrested by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Ice). Palestinian scholar and inexperienced card holder Mohsen Mahdawi, who has been within the US for the final ten years, was detained when he went to attend his citizenship interview. He now faces an order to deport him to the occupied West Financial institution. Vermont lawmakers Bernie Sanders, Peter Welch and Becca Balint have issued a press release calling for his instant launch: “That is immoral, inhumane, and unlawful. Mr. Mahdawi, a authorized resident of the USA, have to be afforded due course of underneath the regulation and instantly launched from detention.” In the meantime, greater than 370 alumni of Georgetown College joined 65 present college students there in signing on to a letter opposing immigration authorities’ detention of Dr Badar Khan Suri, a senior postdoctoral fellow. Immigration officers revoked his J-1 scholar visa, alleging his father-in-law was an adviser to Hamas officers greater than a decade in the past – and claiming he was “deportable” due to his posts on social media in assist of Palestine. The instances are the newest in a string of Ice arrests instigated by the Trump administration focusing on pro-Palestinian college students and students current within the US on visas or inexperienced playing cards.
Additionally as we speak:
Trump assigned culpability to Vladimir Putin for beginning the battle in Ukraine. It was buried amongst his traditional claims that Joe Biden and Volodymyr Zelenskyy had by some means “let it occur”, nevertheless it was there. He advised reporters: “That’s a battle that ought to’ve by no means been allowed to start out. Biden couldn’t stopped it and Zelenskyy may’ve stopped it, and Putin ought to’ve by no means began it. All people’s accountable.” It comes after Zelenskyy invitedTrump to go to Ukraine to see the devastation attributable to Russia’s invasion, following feedback from the US president that appeared to minimize Moscow’s newest lethal assault, the worst on civilians this yr, calling it “a mistake” on Sunday.
The chief govt of Goldman Sachs, David Solomon, warned that the possibilities of a US recession have “elevated” within the wake of Trump’s tariffs and that an escalating commerce battle poses “materials dangers” for US and international progress. The Wall Road boss mentioned the rising uncertainty over the fallout of US tariffs may spell hassle for firms and customers and wreak havoc on the economic system.
Rome will host a second spherical of nuclear talks between the US and Iran following the “optimistic” and “constructive” talks held on Saturday in Oman. Steve Witkoff and lead Iranian negotiator Abbas Araghchi talked for roughly 45 minutes this weekend – a win for the Trump administration, which had wished direct fairly than oblique negotiations. It comes as Trump reiterated his menace of a possible army strike on Iran’s nuclear services if it doesn’t abandon any drive for a nuclear weapon.
Vermont lawmakers have responded to the Trump administration’s detention of Mohsen Mahdawi. Bernie Sanders, Peter Welch and Becca Balint mentioned in a press release:
Earlier as we speak, Mohsen Mahdawi of White River Junction, Vermont, walked into an immigration workplace for what was speculated to be the ultimate step in his citizenship course of. As a substitute, he was arrested and eliminated in handcuffs by plain-clothed, armed, people with their faces lined. These people refused to supply any info as to the place he was being taken or what would occur to him. That is immoral, inhumane, and unlawful. Mr. Mahdawi, a authorized resident of the USA, have to be afforded due course of underneath the regulation and instantly launched from detention.
Goldman Sachs boss says possibilities of US recession have elevated after Trump tariffs
Kalyeena Makortoff
The chief govt of Goldman Sachs, David Solomon, has warned that the possibilities of a US recession have “elevated” within the wake of Donald Trump’s tariffs and that an escalating commerce battle poses “materials dangers” for US and international progress.
The Wall Road boss mentioned the rising uncertainty over the fallout of US tariffs may spell hassle for firms and customers and wreak havoc on the economic system.
“We’re coming into the second quarter with a markedly totally different working surroundings than earlier this yr,” he advised analysts throughout an earnings name.
The prospect of a recession has elevated, with rising indications that financial exercise is slowing down all over the world.
The rising uncertainty had made it onerous for Goldman shoppers to make essential enterprise selections, he added.
This uncertainty across the path ahead, and fears over the doubtless escalating results of a commerce battle, have created materials dangers to the US and international economic system.
Solomon’s warning got here regardless of a brief roll-back by Trump, who declared a 90-day pause on higher-band tariffs for nations outdoors China final week. The US president additionally introduced plans to exclude some digital merchandise from steep reciprocal tariffs on Chinese language items.
Solomon mentioned he was “inspired by the US administration’s current actions to pursue a extra gradual coverage course of that permits for thought of negotiations with many nations” however warned markets would proceed to be unstable on condition that “how coverage will evolve continues to be unknown”.
Ice arrests Palestinian inexperienced card holder and scholar protest chief from Columbia College
One other chief of Columbia College’s campus protest motion towards Israel’s battle in Gaza has been arrested by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Ice), The Intercept reviews.
Palestinian scholar and inexperienced card holder Mohsen Mahdawi has been within the US for the final ten years and was one of many leaders of the pro-Palestine scholar protest motion till spring 2024.
In a press release to The Intercept, Mahdawi’s legal professional Luna Droubi mentioned:
Mohsen Mahdawi was unlawfully detained as we speak for no purpose aside from his Palestinian identification. He got here to this nation hoping to be free to talk out concerning the atrocities he has witnessed, solely to be punished for such speech.”
Mahdawi’s attorneys filed a habeas corpus petition on Monday morning difficult the legality of his detention, alleging the federal government was violating his statutory and due course of rights by punishing him for speech associated to Palestine and Israel.
The submitting mentioned it seems that Mahdawi was dealing with deportation underneath the obscure provision utilized in different current instances that provides secretary of state Marco Rubio the best to unilaterally declare immigrants as threats to US international coverage.
The Intercept reviews that Mahdawi sheltered in place for 3 weeks for worry of being arrested by Ice brokers, as his buddy and fellow Columbia activist Mahmoud Khalil has been.
When he attended an appointment for his US citizenship interview on the Colchester USCIS workplace, authorities took him into custody. He now faces an order to deport him to the occupied West Financial institution.
“It’s type of a loss of life sentence,” Mahdawi mentioned in reference to escalating assaults by the Israeli army and settlers on Palestinians dwelling there. “As a result of my individuals are being killed unjustly in an indiscriminate method.”
Mahdawi’s case is the newest in a string of Ice arrests instigated by the Trump administration focusing on pro-Palestinian college students and students current within the US on visas or inexperienced playing cards.
“That is the end result,” Mahdawi advised The Intercept. “I will probably be both dwelling or imprisoned or killed by the apartheid system.”
Homeland safety secretary Kristi Noem has mentioned she expects extra folks will probably be despatched to El Salvador.
Noem, chatting with Fox Information on Monday forward of Donald Trump’s assembly with the president of El Salvador, Nayib Bukele, mentioned:
Once I was in El Salvador visiting with President Bukele, we talked about the truth that he would settle for extra flights, would settle for extra people into Cecot. So I’m trying ahead to that partnership persevering with.
Chris Stein
Democratic senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland will journey to El Salvador this week to go to his constituent Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia if he isn’t launched from detention and returned to the USA.
Van Hollen additionally requested that El Salvador’s president, Nayib Bukele, meet with him throughout his go to to Washington DC to debate Abrego Garcia’s return.
“Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia by no means ought to have been kidnapped and illegally deported, and the courts have made clear: the administration should convey him residence, now. Nevertheless, for the reason that Trump Administration seems to be ignoring these court docket mandates, we have to take extra motion,” Van Hollen mentioned in a press release.
That’s why I’ve requested to satisfy with President Bukele throughout his journey to the USA, and – if Kilmar shouldn’t be residence by midweek – I plan to journey to El Salvador this week to test on his situation and focus on his launch.
When he met Donald Trump within the Oval Workplace earlier as we speak, Bukele mentioned he wouldn’t return Abrego Garcia to the USA or launch him from jail in El Salvador.
Andrew Roth
Republican supporters of Ukraine are utilizing the Kremlin’s lethal missile strikes as their newest proof to persuade Donald Trump that he should enhance strain on Vladimir Putin if he needs to achieve a ceasefire deal.
Professional-Ukraine lawmakers and aides within the Republican get together have rigorously navigated Trump’s obvious affinity for Putin and prevented direct intervention of their efforts to shift his assist towards Kyiv. However following the Russian strikes throughout Palm Sunday celebrations within the metropolis of Sumy, advisers and allies have been extremely vocal in condemning the assault utilizing language meant to resonate with the US president’s conservative, spiritual base.
“Putin and peace apparently don’t slot in the identical sentence,” wrote Lindsey Graham, the Trump-allied senator who has sought to steadiness his assist for Ukraine together with his want to stay on Trump’s good facet.
Russia’s barbaric Palm Sunday assault on Christian worshippers in Ukraine appears to be Putin’s reply to efforts to attain a ceasefire and peace.
Russia’s President Vladimir Putin shakes palms with US President Donald Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff throughout a gathering in Saint Petersburg on 11 April 2025. {Photograph}: Gavriil Grigorov/AFP/Getty Pictures
The strike got here lower than 48 hours after Steve Witkoff, the Trump envoy, met with Putin in St Petersburg. The Kremlin referred to as the assembly “extraordinarily helpful and really efficient”, though there was no indication that the 2 males achieved concrete outcomes. Witkoff’s gesture of holding has hand over his coronary heart when he noticed Putin has been criticised in Washington as excessively fawning and naive.
Joe Biden has condemned the arson assault on Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro’s residence on Sunday, saying he was “disgusted” by the fireplace that left important injury and compelled Shapiro, his household and company to evacuate the constructing through the Jewish vacation of Passover.
“We’re relieved that they’re protected and grateful to the primary responders,” the previous president posted to X on Monday.
There isn’t any place for any such evil in America, and as I advised the Governor yesterday, we should stand united towards hatred and violence.
Donald Trump, chatting with reporters from the Oval Workplace simply earlier, additionally condemned the assault.
Requested concerning the suspect, Cody Balmer, Trump mentioned he was “in all probability a wack job” and “not a fan” of his. “A factor like that can not be allowed to occur,” he added.
That’s it, the press briefing is over.
Trump reaffirms that he is ‘all for’ deporting naturalized US residents who commit violent crimes to El Salvador
Requested if he’s open to deporting naturalized US residents to El Salvador, Trump says sure, “in the event that they’re criminals”.
That features them, they’re as dangerous as anyone. I’m all for it.
He provides the US can do it through El Salvador “for much less cash and have nice safety”.
There are “others” the administration is negotiating with too, Trump provides.
Trump repeats menace to strike Iran militarily if it does not quit nuclear programme
Trump says Iran should abandon any drive for a nuclear weapon or face harsh penalties that would embody a army strike on Tehran’s nuclear services.
“In fact it does,” Trump mentioned when requested if a possible response may embody strikes on Iranian nuclear services.
Trump says he expects to impose tariffs on imported prescribed drugs “within the not-too-distant future”.
Trump says he plans to deport ‘as many individuals as doable’ who’re within the US ‘illegally’
Requested what number of “unlawful criminals” he’ll export from the US, Trump says he’ll deport “as many as doable”.
Referring to El Salvador’s infamous Cecot jail, the place the deported folks have been despatched, Trump says he requested Bukele if he may construct extra of them. He suggests he can be open to serving to El Salvador financially to take action.
“The international coverage of the USA is performed by the president of the USA, not by a court docket. And no court docket in the USA has a proper to conduct the international coverage of the USA,” Marco Rubio provides.
