The decision is the latest court victory for US President Donald Trump’s campaign targeting foreign student protesters. Published On 21 Jul 202621 Jul 2026 A United States appeals court has overturned a lower court ruling that ordered the release of Columbia University activist Mohsen Mahdawi from immigration detention, in a decision that could allow the Trump administration of President Donald Trump to detain him again as it continues its campaign against pro-Palestinian student protesters. In a decision on Tuesday, a three-judge panel of the 2nd US Circuit Court of Appeals — made up of two Trump appointees and one judge appointed by former President George W Bush — ruled the lower court shouldn’t have ordered Mahdawi’s release because the case should have been resolved in the immigration court system, which is overseen by the US Department of Justice. Recommended Stories list of 4 itemsend of list While the ruling doesn’t order Mahdawi’s immediate re-arrest, it removes the order allowing him to be released. The American Civil Liberties Union, which represents him, however, said there was no …