An Indian researcher at the US University was detained on Wednesday and will face deportation, amidst increased scrutiny of campus activists under the Trump administration.
Badar Khan Suri, who is a Georgetown University researcher, has been accused by immigration authorities for “spreading Hamas propaganda and promoting antisemitism.”
He works as a postdoctoral associate whilst studying under a student visa. Georgetown University’s spokesperson stated that Suri received his visa “to continue his doctoral research on peacebuilding in Iraq and Afghanistan.”
“We are not aware of him engaging in any illegal activity, and we have not received a reason for his detention,” the spokesperson told CBS News. “We support our community members’ rights to free and open inquiry, deliberation and debate, even if the underlying ideas may be difficult, controversial or objectionable. We expect the legal system to adjudicate this case fairly.”
A DHS spokesperson informed CBS News that Suri was a “foreign exchange student at Georgetown University actively spreading Hamas propaganda and promoting antisemitism on social media.”
The spokesperson further alleged that Suri maintained “close connections to a known or suspected terrorist, who is a senior adviser to Hamas.”
On March 15, secretary of state Marco Rubio determined that “Suri’s activities and presence in the United States rendered him deportable” under the Immigration and Nationality Act, according to the spokesperson. The specific details of Suri’s detention remain unclear.
ICE’s online detention locator indicates that Suri is currently held at an ICE detention facility at Alexandria International Airport in Louisiana.
A legal challenge to Suri’s detention through a writ of habeas corpus was submitted on March 18. CBS News has contacted his legal representative.
This development follows the contentious March 8 arrest in New York City of Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University student and green card holder, by ICE agents due to his involvement in the 2024 pro-Palestinian campus demonstrations.
Khalil, aged 30, an Algerian citizen born in Syria to Palestinian parents, is also detained in Louisiana. His arrest occurred in front of his wife, who was eight months pregnant.
DHS stated to CBS News last week that Khalil’s arrest was “in support of President Trump’s executive orders prohibiting anti-Semitism,” claiming the former student “led activities aligned to Hamas,” without providing supporting evidence or specifying any criminal charges.
On Wednesday, a federal judge determined that Khalil’s case would be heard in New Jersey, rather than New York or Louisiana. Khalil was temporarily held in a New Jersey facility before transfer to Louisiana.