Representative Becca Balint

Hi there,

I know you are angry. I am angry, too. I am angry that this is the news I’m sharing with you all. I am angry that this is the America we live in. I’m angry that President Trump has yet again illegally detained a legal resident of the United States for exercising their First Amendment rights.

Yesterday, Mohsen Mahdawi, a legal resident of Vermont — of our state — walked into an immigration office in Colchester 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.

I joined CNN this morning to discuss:

The entire Vermont Delegation finds this unacceptable. This is not what Vermont stands for.

Mohsen Mahdawi must be granted due process and be immediately released. This is now an established pattern, including the abductions of Mahmoud Khalil, Rumeysa Ozturk, and others — all of whom are here legally. Every single person who is living in the United States’ borders has the right to due process. Each of them must be released. They are entitled to know the charges against them, to have contact with their attorney, and to a trial.

If due process is denied for anyone, it can be denied for you too. If anyone can be snatched off the streets and detained without due process, it can happen to you too.

This is immoral, inhumane, and illegal. I’m leading my colleagues in demanding answers from the Department of Homeland Security and the State Department.

Vermonters: we need to stand and speak as one voice on this.

In service,

Becca Balint
Member of Congress

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