US to release detained student activist

A Columbia university student and Palestinian activist arrested by US immigration authorities will be released from custody "momentarily", the BBC's US partner CBS News reported.

Mohsen Mahdawi, who has permanent US residency or "green card" status, was detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Ice) when he turned up at an American citizenship interview in Vermont in mid-April.

Mr Mahdawi's legal team petitioned for his release alleging unlawful incarceration.

The US government says he was undermining US foreign policy. His lawyer Luna Droubi argued that the arrest was "in direct retaliation for his advocacy on behalf of Palestinians and because of his identity as a Palestinian".

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