Wed Sep 25 07:00:00 UTC 2024: ## Cornell Student Faces Deportation Over Pro-Palestine Activism
**ITHACA, NY** – A British Cornell University graduate student, Momodou Taal, claims he is facing deportation after being suspended for a second time for his pro-Palestinian advocacy. Taal, who is studying at Cornell on an F-1 visa, alleges he was suspended for participating in a protest that disrupted a university-hosted career fair where two weapons manufacturers were represented.
According to Taal, a university official informed him that his visa status would change following his suspension and advised him to leave the U.S. “as soon as possible.” Taal claims he was not given a chance to dispute the charges or see the evidence against him. He argues that he is being targeted for his pro-Palestine activism and his identity as a Black Muslim.
Cornell University has declined to comment on Taal’s case, citing federal privacy laws. However, the university has issued statements condemning the protest and stating that individuals who disrupted the career fair face disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal.
While Taal’s legal team is working to prevent his deportation, immigration attorney Jeff Khurgel believes that deportation is “very unlikely” to happen as quickly as Taal fears. He cites the backlog in immigration courts and the current administration’s reluctance to deport international students, especially for political activism. However, Khurgel acknowledges that the situation could change if Republicans win the White House in November, as former president Trump has previously voiced support for deporting international students involved in protests.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) has called for the suspension to be reversed, arguing that Taal’s case highlights the potential for universities to suppress student activism. The incident has reignited concerns about the vulnerability of international students to deportation, particularly in the context of political protests.
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