A Palestinian activist was released from US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody and greeted with cheers from supporters gathered outside the facility.

Mohsen Mahdawi, a green card holder and graduating senior from Columbia University, was detained in Colchester, Vermont, on April 14.

Authorities allegedly identified him as an organiser of pro-Palestinian demonstrations at the New York City college.

After two weeks in ICE detention, he was released on April 30.

Dramatic footage shows Mohsen emerging from custody, welcomed by friends and well-wishers.

His legal team, led by attorney Luna Droubi, argued that the detention violated his constitutional rights, framing it as an attack on free speech.

A federal judge in Vermont ordered his release, drawing comparisons to politically motivated actions from the McCarthy era.

Mohsen has been involved in several protests against Israeli military actions in Gaza, consistently condemning both antisemitism and violence. While critics have sought to link him to extremist groups, he describes himself as a peace advocate promoting justice and human rights.

On March 8, another student activist, Mahmoud Khalil, who was known for his role as a negotiator in pro-Palestinian protests, was also arrested and detained by ICE. He was reportedly taken into custody after his green card was revoked during the Trump administration.

The arrests come amid renewed tensions in the Middle East. On March 18, Israel broke a ceasefire with Gaza that had been in place since January, launching surprise airstrikes.

Israel has blitzed the Gaza Strip in retaliation for a terror attack by the governing party Hamas on a Jewish music festival on October 7, 2023.

However, the situation, which Israel claims is self-defence, has attracted criticism from around the world.