Judge halts deportation of Georgetown scholar Badar Khan Suri amidst allegations
- Badar Khan Suri was detained by DHS for allegedly spreading Hamas propaganda and antisemitism on social media.
- A federal judge issued a ruling preventing his deportation while the case is reviewed, emphasizing the importance of due process.
- This case raises significant concerns regarding freedom of speech within the academic context amid ongoing political conflicts.
In the United States, a federal judge granted a stay against the deportation of Badar Khan Suri, an Indian national and postdoctoral fellow at Georgetown University. Suri was arrested by the Department of Homeland Security on March 17, 2025, accused of spreading Hamas propaganda and promoting antisemitism on social media. His detention drew attention due to its implications for freedom of speech on college campuses and because Suri has no criminal record. Immigration and Customs Enforcement took him into custody after detaining him at his home in Arlington, Virginia. The judge ordered that Suri should not be removed from the country while the court reviews his case, marking a significant moment in the intersection of immigration law and academic freedoms. Judge Patricia Tolliver Giles ruled that Suri could remain in the U.S. until a contrary order is issued by the court, a decision welcomed by his legal team, which argued that his arrest violated due process rights. Suri’s case is part of a broader debate regarding academic expression, particularly in relation to views on Palestine and Israel, highlighting ongoing tensions surrounding these discussions in educational institutions.