Detention of Indian Researcher Badar Khan Suri Amid Controversy…

Badar Khan Suri, an Indian postdoctoral researcher at Georgetown University, has been detained for deportation under allegations of promoting Hamas and antisemitism. He has denied wrongdoing and is currently held at an ICE facility. Georgetown University supports his right to free expression, stating they are unaware of any illegal activity. Suri’s case follows a similar incident involving another student, highlighting ongoing tensions surrounding pro-Palestinian activism in the U.S.

Badar Khan Suri, an Indian postdoctoral researcher at Georgetown University, has been detained under the U.S. immigration policies established during the Trump administration. He faces deportation due to allegations of “spreading Hamas propaganda and promoting antisemitism” on social media, as stated by Tricia McLaughlin from the Department of Homeland Security. Suri’s research focus is on peace-building, and he has denied any wrongdoing or violations of law.

Suri has been linked to a senior advisor to Hamas, according to McLaughlin, although no evidence has been provided to substantiate these claims. Presently, he is being held at a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility located at Alexandria International Airport in Louisiana. A lawyer representing Suri has filed a petition for his release in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.

Georgetown University has expressed support for Suri, stating they are unaware of any illegal activity on his part. The university maintains that individuals should have the right to express potentially controversial viewpoints. In his social media posts, Suri has criticized Israel and expressed solidarity with the Palestinian cause, including accusations against India for allegedly supplying arms to Israel.

Suri’s detention occurs amid heightened scrutiny of pro-Palestinian activism, particularly following the arrest of Mahmoud Khalil, a student at Columbia University, for his participation in protests. Khalil has also initiated legal proceedings against the Trump administration, asserting that his deportation would infringe on his constitutional rights.

In summary, the detention of Badar Khan Suri highlights tensions surrounding immigration and free speech in the context of pro-Palestinian activism. His case, alongside that of Mahmoud Khalil, raises critical questions about the limits of expression and the application of immigration laws. Georgetown University remains supportive of Suri, emphasizing the importance of academic freedom and rights to dissent.

Original Source: www.aljazeera.com