Mohsen Mahdawi, a 34-year-old U.S. permanent resident who was raised in a refugee camp in the West Bank, was detained during his April 14 naturalization interview in Vermont.

The Columbia student, who was arrested during his naturalization interview, was freed from government custody after a federal judge in Vermont ordered his release. The judge reportedly compared his detention to the treatment of immigrants during the Red Scare.

Speaking to NPR in his first media interview since his detention, lawful permanent U.S. resident Mohsen Mahdawi finds peace in meditation and hopes "America will fulfill its promise."