Mohsen Mahdawi Palestinian student activist freed on bail

A Palestinian student activist who the Trump administration ordered to be deported has been freed from immigration detention after a federal judge ruled that he be bailed.

- Anna Betts

Mohsen Mahdawi, a green card holder who organised protests at Columbia University, had not been charged with any crime. Yesterday he walked out of detention where he had been held since 14 April, thanking those who had supported him.

In his ruling, the US district judge Geoffrey Crawford said the evidence "suggests that Mr Mahdawi is neither a flight risk or a danger to the community", according to ABC News.

He wrote that the government had "failed to demonstrate any legitimate interest in Mr Mahdawi's continued confinement" and his "continued detention would likely have a chilling effect on protected speech".