Thu Mar 20 23:56:08 UTC 2025: ## Georgetown Postdoctoral Fellow Detained, Facing Deportation Over Alleged Personal Views

**Washington, DC –** A Georgetown University postdoctoral fellow, Badar Khan Suri, an Indian citizen, is facing deportation after being detained by US immigration authorities. The detention, confirmed by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), has sparked outrage among academics and civil liberties groups who allege Suri’s targeting is politically motivated and a violation of his rights.

Suri, a fellow at Georgetown’s Prince Alwaleed bin Talal Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding, was detained earlier this week and is currently being held at a Louisiana detention center. DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin stated that Secretary of State Marco Rubio approved Suri’s deportation under a provision of the 1952 Immigration and Nationality Act, citing “adverse foreign policy consequences.” McLaughlin accused Suri of spreading Hamas propaganda and promoting antisemitism on social media, without providing specifics.

These claims are vehemently denied by Suri and his legal team, which includes the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). His wife, a US citizen, and his father-in-law, a former Hamas advisor who has publicly criticized the group, have also refuted the allegations. Suri’s lawyer maintains he was not involved in political activism.

Critics, including Georgetown University faculty and Congressman Don Beyer, argue Suri’s detention represents a dangerous escalation of efforts to silence pro-Palestine voices. They highlight the similarities to the attempted deportation of Columbia University student Mahmoud Khalil, which was also justified using the same immigration law. They contend that the Trump administration is conflating criticism of Israeli actions with antisemitism and support for terrorism.

Professor Nader Hashemi, director of Suri’s center, described the detention as “shocking” and a confirmation of fears that authoritarian repression is expanding on American universities. He emphasized that Suri, unlike Khalil, was not involved in public protests but was allegedly targeted for his personal views.

Georgetown University issued a statement supporting its community members’ right to free speech, while the Alwaleed Center described the actions against Suri as part of a broader campaign to suppress dissent. Suri’s case has drawn significant attention, with a federal judge temporarily blocking his deportation pending a hearing. The ongoing legal battle highlights concerns about academic freedom and the potential chilling effect on open discussion of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Congressman Beyer has called for Suri’s immediate release, characterizing his detention as a violation of his constitutional rights. The incident has also prompted warnings that this is just the beginning of a wider campaign of repression.

Read More