The student arrested at his naturalization interview knew it was coming
The student arrested at his naturalization interview knew it was coming
Mohsen Mahdawi, a Palestinian student, was arrested at his naturalization interview with US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on April 14th.
Mahdawi had been fearful of being detained by ICE and had reportedly been in hiding for weeks due to concerns about the interview.
Despite his fears, Mahdawi was unable to miss the appointment, as failure to appear results in denial of a person’s application.
The arrest occurred around noon, with two Department of Homeland Security officers escorting Mahdawi out of the building after he had been handcuffed.
The incident has sparked concerns about the treatment of immigrants and asylum seekers in the US, with some calling for greater protections and due process.
Mohsen Mahdawi had a feeling his naturalization appointment would go awry. A week before his meeting with US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Mahdawi called his friend Chris Helali and told him he was concerned. “He thought it was likely – and I agreed – that he would be arrested, that they would ambush him at this interview,” Helali tells The Verge. Mahdawi had been so fearful of being detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) that he had reportedly been in hiding for weeks. But Mahdawi couldn’t miss the appointment. According to USCIS, “failure to appear for a scheduled interview” almost always “results in denial” of a person’s application.
The interview was scheduled for 11AM on April 14th. Helali waited outside the building. “We started to realize that something was amiss,” Helali says. Around noon, the group was told Mahdawi had been handcuffed. Three minutes later, he was escorted out of the building by two Department of Homeland Security officers. Helali captured the arrest, first reported by The Intercept, on video.
EXCLUSIVE FOOTAGE: Columbia student and Palestinian Mohsen Madawi was just arrested during a visit to the i …
Q. Why did Mohsen Mahdawi feel that his naturalization interview would go awry?
A. He had a feeling that he would be arrested, and his friend Chris Helali agreed with him.
Q. What was the reason for Mohsen’s fear of being detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)?
A. He had been in hiding for weeks due to his fear of being detained.
Q. What happened during the scheduled naturalization interview on April 14th?
A. The group waiting outside the building realized that something was amiss, and three minutes later, Mohsen Mahdawi was handcuffed and escorted out by two Department of Homeland Security officers.
Q. Why did Mohsen’s friend Chris Helali wait outside the building during the interview?
A. He waited to support his friend and capture any potential events on video.
Q. What happened to Mohsen Mahdawi after he was arrested?
A. His arrest was captured on video, which was first reported by The Intercept.
Q. Why is it unlikely that Mohsen’s application for naturalization will be approved if he fails to appear for the interview?
A. According to USCIS, failure to appear for a scheduled interview almost always results in denial of a person’s application.
Q. What was the significance of Mohsen Mahdawi being arrested during his naturalization interview?
A. It highlights the fear and uncertainty faced by many immigrants who are trying to navigate the complex US immigration system.
Q. Who reported on the arrest of Mohsen Mahdawi initially?
A. The Verge first reported on the story, with additional details provided by Chris Helali.
Q. What was the date of Mohsen Mahdawi’s naturalization interview?
A. April 14th.
Q. Why did Mohsen Mahdawi feel that he couldn’t miss his appointment despite being fearful of being detained?
A. He knew that failure to appear for a scheduled interview almost always results in denial of a person’s application, and he wanted to avoid this outcome.
