Trump is punishing immigrants for following the rules

Mohsen Mahdawi, a Palestinian student at Columbia University, was taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during his naturalization interview at a US Citizenship and Immigration Services office in Vermont. Secretary of State Marco Rubio cited Mahdawi’s involvement in protests at Columbia as undermining US foreign policy and threatening the Middle East peace process.

The situation with Mahdawi is concerning as he is a legal permanent resident who has resided in the US for ten years. Like Mahmoud Khalil, another Palestinian student at Columbia, Mahdawi faced deportation for expressing views disliked by the secretary of state, despite not being charged with a crime.

Notably, Mahdawi was arrested during a scheduled appointment with immigration services, illustrating how immigrants following the rules can still face repercussions. The IRS, which previously assured confidentiality to undocumented immigrants who filed taxes, has now agreed to share data with the Department of Homeland Security, breaking promises made under the Trump administration.

The breach of trust extends beyond undocumented immigrants, as evidenced by cases like Mahdawi’s. Legal immigrants and refugees are also facing threats under the current administration, creating an environment of fear and uncertainty among immigrant communities. The government’s actions are not only jeopardizing immigrants’ rights but also eroding trust in institutions and pushing individuals further into the shadows.