A researcher from Georgetown University, Badar Khan Suri, has been taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), according to sources within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). His detention comes as part of the Trump administration’s intensified efforts to monitor individuals on college campuses who are perceived as threats to national security.
Suri, an Indian national, was a postdoctoral associate conducting research and teaching under a student visa. Georgetown University confirmed that he had legally obtained his visa to continue his doctoral research on peacebuilding efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Conflicting Statements on Suri’s Detention
Georgetown University has expressed concerns over Suri’s arrest, and stated that they are unaware of any legal violations he committed. The university emphasized its commitment to academic freedom, encouraging open discussions on even the most controversial topics. The institution also urged for a fair legal process in Suri’s case.
On the other hand, the DHS has accused Suri of using his position to spread pro-Hamas propaganda and engage in antisemitic rhetoric on social media. Furthermore, officials claim he has close ties to a senior Hamas adviser. Based on these allegations, Secretary of State Marco Rubio determined that Suri’s presence in the U.S. was grounds for deportation under the Immigration and Nationality Act. The exact details surrounding his arrest, including the time and manner of detention, remain undisclosed.
Legal Action and Ongoing Detention
Suri is currently being held at an ICE detention facility at Alexandria International Airport in Louisiana, as confirmed by the agency’s online detention records. His legal team has filed a writ of habeas corpus, challenging his detention, but further details of his case remain unclear.
This incident follows the recent arrest of another university student at Columbia University, Mahmoud Khalil, who is a green card holder. Khalil, an Algerian national of Palestinian descent, was detained in New York City on March 8 by ICE agents. His arrest, which occurred in front of his pregnant wife, was linked to his participation in pro-Palestinian demonstrations that was happening on campus.
Concerns Over Campus Surveillance and Due Process
The Trump administration has taken a strict stance on activities it deems supportive of Hamas or is antisemitic, particularly in academic spaces. However, critics argue that these detentions lack transparency and could infringe on the right to free speech. Like Suri’s, Khalil’s arrest was justified by DHS as part of the administration’s broader campaign against perceived threats. Yet, neither specific evidence nor formal charges have been made public.
In Khalil’s situation, a federal judge recently ruled that his case would be heard in New Jersey rather than New York or Louisiana, where he was initially detained. His transfer between multiple detention centers has added to concerns about the treatment of detainees and their legal rights.
Looking Ahead – ICE Detains University Researcher Over Alleged Security Concerns
Suri’s detention raises questions about the extent of government surveillance on academic institutions and the criteria used to determine security threats. Legal experts anticipate a prolonged court battle as his legal team fights against his potential deportation. Meanwhile, his case, along with Khalil’s, is likely to fuel ongoing debates about civil liberties, academic freedom, and the administration’s policies on immigration and national security.
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