Washington, D.C.: U.S. immigration authorities have detained Badar Khan Suri, a postdoctoral fellow at Georgetown University, over alleged links to Hamas. The detention comes amid the Trump administration’s intensified crackdown on activist movements across college campuses.
Allegations Against Badar Khan Suri
Suri, an Indian national on a student visa, has been conducting doctoral research on peacebuilding in Iraq and Afghanistan while teaching at Georgetown. According to his legal representatives, Suri has no criminal record and is being unfairly targeted due to his wife’s Palestinian origins, as reported by Politico.
Georgetown University’s Response
In a statement, a Georgetown University spokesperson expressed concern over Suri’s detention, stating:
"We are not aware of him engaging in any illegal activity, and we have not received any formal reason for his detention. Georgetown University supports the rights of its community members to free and open inquiry, deliberation, and debate, even when the underlying ideas may be difficult, controversial, or objectionable. We expect the legal system to adjudicate this case fairly."
Suri, who is married to an American citizen, is currently awaiting a court date in U.S. immigration court, his lawyer confirmed.
Growing Crackdown on Pro-Palestinian Activism
Suri’s detention follows the high-profile arrest of Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University student and green card holder, who was involved in the 2024 pro-Palestinian campus protests. Khalil’s case marked the first known deportation effort linked to pro-Palestinian activism under the Trump administration.
Suri’s detention has sparked concerns among academic and civil rights groups, with growing calls for transparency in the government's handling of such cases. The incident highlights the increasing scrutiny faced by students and researchers involved in Middle East-related studies amid heightened political tensions in the U.S.
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