Georgetown Scholar Detained by ICE, Faces Deportation Battle/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Badar Khan Suri, a Georgetown University scholar and Indian national, has been detained by U.S. immigration authorities and faces potential deportation, his lawyers confirmed Thursday. Suri, a postdoctoral fellow studying peacebuilding in Iraq and Afghanistan, was arrested outside his Virginia home and later transferred to a detention facility in Louisiana. Federal officials accuse him of spreading Hamas propaganda, but his attorneys deny the allegations, calling his detention a violation of free speech and due process. Georgetown University has expressed support for Suri, while legal efforts to halt his deportation are underway.
Georgetown Scholar Detained – Quick Look:
- Who was detained? Badar Khan Suri, a postdoctoral scholar at Georgetown University.
- Why was he arrested? The Trump administration alleges he spread Hamas propaganda.
- Where is he now? Held at Alexandria Staging Facility in Louisiana.
- What is his legal status? He holds a valid visa and is married to a U.S. citizen.
- How is Georgetown responding? The university supports his right to free inquiry.
- What happens next? His lawyers are seeking his immediate release.
Georgetown Scholar Detained by ICE, Faces Deportation Battle
Deep Look – Legal Battle Over Scholar’s Detention
Sudden Arrest Raises Questions
On Monday night, Department of Homeland Security agents arrested Badar Khan Suri outside his Virginia home. By Tuesday, he was transferred to a detention facility in Louisiana, with no formal charges filed against him, his lawyers say.
A legal motion filed Tuesday by Suri’s attorneys argues that he has no criminal record, holds a valid visa, and that his detention violates free speech and due process rights.
Allegations of “Hamas Propaganda”
Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security Tricia McLaughlin stated Wednesday that Suri was detained for allegedly “spreading Hamas propaganda and promoting antisemitism on social media.”
His legal team denies these allegations, arguing that no concrete evidence has been provided.
Georgetown University Responds
The university has defended Suri, stating he was “duly granted a visa” and emphasizing that they “are not aware of any illegal activity.”
“We support our community members’ rights to free and open inquiry, even if ideas may be controversial.” — Georgetown University statement
Tied to a Larger Crackdown
Suri’s case is one of several recent detentions:
- Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University graduate student, was detained for participating in pro-Palestinian protests.
- Dr. Rasha Alawieh, a kidney transplant specialist, was deported to Lebanon last weekend despite holding a valid U.S. visa.
What Comes Next?
- Legal Battle: Suri’s lawyers are seeking his immediate release and challenging the Trump administration’s justification for deportation.
- Ongoing Court Cases: Other detained academics and activists are also fighting deportation efforts in federal court.
- Policy Impact: The case highlights broader immigration crackdowns affecting visa-holding foreign scholars in the U.S.
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