Indian Student at Georgetown University Detained, Faces Deportation

Indian Student at Georgetown University Detained, Faces Deportation

Detention and Deportation Order

An Indian student at Washington’s Georgetown University, Badar Khan Suri, has been detained by the Trump administration and is facing deportation. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has accused Suri of ties to the Palestinian militant group Hamas and spreading propaganda and antisemitism on social media.

DHS Allegations and Lack of Evidence

DHS issued a statement to Fox News, later reposted by White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, alleging that Suri’s activities made him deportable. However, the statement did not cite any concrete evidence. Secretary of State Marco Rubio reportedly made the determination that Suri should be removed from the country.

Arrest and Detention

Suri, who resides in the U.S. on a student visa and is married to a U.S. citizen, was arrested outside his home in Rosslyn, Virginia, on Monday night. He is currently detained in Alexandria, Louisiana, awaiting a hearing in immigration court.

Political Context and Public Reaction

The arrest is part of the Trump administration’s broader efforts to deport foreigners involved in pro-Palestinian protests following the October 2023 Hamas attack on Israel. Civil rights and immigrant advocacy groups have condemned the administration’s actions, arguing they unfairly target political critics.

Georgetown University’s Response

Suri is a postdoctoral fellow at Georgetown’s Alwaleed Bin Talal Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding. A university spokesperson stated they had not received any official reason for Suri’s detention and were unaware of any illegal activities involving him.

Personal Background

Suri’s wife, Mapheze Saleh, is a U.S. citizen originally from Gaza. According to the Georgetown University website, she has contributed to Al Jazeera and Palestinian media and previously worked with Gaza’s foreign ministry. Suri, who holds a Ph.D. in peace and conflict studies from an Indian university, has been teaching a course on “Majoritarianism and Minority Rights in South Asia.”

Similar Cases Under Trump Administration

Earlier this month, the Trump administration also arrested and sought to deport Columbia University student Mahmoud Khalil over his participation in pro-Palestinian protests. Khalil is challenging his detention in court, with his legal team denying any links to Hamas.

Criticism of the Administration’s Actions

President Trump has accused pro-Palestinian protesters of antisemitism, though critics argue that opposition to Israeli policies is often wrongly equated with antisemitism. Pro-Palestinian advocates, including some Jewish organizations, maintain that their criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza is a legitimate political stance.

“Indian Student at Georgetown University Detained, Faces Deportation” “Indian Student at Georgetown University Detained, Faces Deportation” “Indian Student at Georgetown University Detained, Faces Deportation”