On April 14, 2025, what was supposed to be a routine citizenship naturalization interview turned into a detention for me. After enduring over two weeks of wrongful imprisonment, a federal judge ordered my release. This decision marks a significant win for democratic values and could represent the first instance of a student activist detained under the Trump administration being freed.
The Department of Homeland Security had set a calculated trap, presenting the opportunity to become an American citizen only to detain me immediately after the interview concluded and I signed a document affirming my willingness to take the oath of allegiance. Officials separated me from my attorney, who had accompanied me, and intended to transfer me from my home state of Vermont to a detention center in Louisiana.
I anticipated this tactic due to prior arrests of students exercising their right to free speech in protest against Israel's ongoing violence in Gaza. Prepared for such a scenario, I reached out to legal counsel, Vermont's senators and House representative, media outlets, and community advocates. The plan faltered when we narrowly missed the flight to Louisiana by minutes, a critical delay that altered the trajectory of my case and ultimately enabled me to contest my detention on fair legal grounds. Unlike many other students still held by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, I have been granted the opportunity to pursue justice outside of prison.
Though I spent 16 nights confined in a jail cell, my faith in justice and democratic ideals remained steadfast. My aspiration to become a U.S. citizen stems from a belief in the country's foundational principles. When Judge Geoffrey W. Crawford ruled in my favor, it reaffirmed hope not only for me but also for others committed to these values. However, the journey toward justice is ongoing. My release is connected to the fate of other students who shared my exercise of free speech yet remain detained, as well as to Palestinians striving for their fundamental rights to life and justice.
The government accuses me of undermining U.S. foreign policy—a thinly veiled justification for deporting someone targeted for political speech disfavored by the administration. Their efforts to discredit me have been unfounded. My sole 'offense' is opposing the violence inflicted upon Palestinians, advocating for peace, and insisting on respect for international law. I maintain that durable peace between Palestinians and Israelis can only be achieved through diplomacy and restorative justice.
By attempting to deport me, the administration conveys a stark message: dissent will not be tolerated, regardless of constitutional free speech protections. This approach appears designed to shield an extremist Israeli government from criticism, sacrificing constitutional rights and undermining prospects for a peaceful future free from trauma and fear for both Palestinians and Israelis.
