On naturalization – Etan Nechin and Ben Samuels in Haaretz:

‘Mohsen Mahdawi, a Palestinian graduate student at Columbia University and former co-president of Columbia's Palestinian Students Union, was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Monday during what was supposed to be a naturalization interview in Burlington, Vermont.
The arrest is documented in an ICE detainee database and a habeas corpus petition filed in federal court.’

(…)

‘A source close to Mahdawi told Haaretz he had cleared his background check but suspected the interview might be a trap and was prepared for the possibility of arrest. His legal team has since filed a habeas corpus petition in federal district court in Vermont to prevent his transfer out of Vermont.
In the months before his arrest, Mahdawi was targeted by online campaigns from pro-Israel groups like Canary Mission and Betarand listed in posts by a Columbia-based network promoting a so-called "Deportation Database."
Mahdawi had previously appeared on 60 Minutes and spoken critically of the university's response to the war in Gaza and condemned antisemitic chants at a rally, saying "the fight for the freedom of Palestine and the fight against antisemitism go hand in hand."’

(…)

‘In addition, the administration has revoked over 600 international student visas, often without warning or clear justification, citing concerns over antisemitism and national security.
These actions are part of a wider federal effort affecting multiple institutions. The Department of Education has launched investigations into 60 universities for alleged antisemitic discrimination, and federal funding has been frozen for schools like Cornell and Northwestern.
Responding to the arrest, Sen. Bernie Sanders, whose Columbia student constituent was detained said that, "Mohsen Mahdawi of White River Junction, Vermont was illegally detained by ICE during what was supposed to be the final step in his citizenship process. Mr. Mahdawi, a legal resident of the U.S., must be afforded due process under the law and immediately released from detention."
Sanders' colleague from Vermont, Sen. Peter Welch, issued a similar demand. "Earlier today, Mohsen Mahdawi of White River Junction, Vermont, walked into an immigration office for what was supposed to be the final step in his citizenship process.
Instead, he was arrested and removed in handcuffs by plainclothes, armed, individuals with their faces covered. These individuals refused to provide any information as to where he was being taken or what would happen to him.’

Read the article here.

The naturalization interview in 2025.

And if this is the fight against antisemitism, the fight will only backfire. Of course, the Jews will suffer, not the Americans who like many Europeans use the so-called fight against antisemitism to get rid of their favorite enemies, Muslims.

Some people take comfort that in the end they will come also for you.
Now it’s only refugees, certain visa or certain green card holders, in the future a US passport won’t protect you.
But of course, that’s no comfort, that’s defeat.

The deterioration of the state of law in the shining city on the hill is just another sign that war is edging closer.