Alexandria, Va. – A federal judge in Virginia has issued an order preventing immigration officials from deporting a Georgetown scholar detained by the Trump administration. The scholar, Badar Khan Suri, an Indian national, was accused of spreading Hamas propaganda, sparking a debate over free speech on U.S. college campuses.
U.S. District Judge Patricia Tolliver Giles ordered that Suri should not be removed from the United States until further notice. Suri’s attorney argued that his detention violated his free speech and due process rights, emphasizing that Suri is an academic, not an activist.
Suri’s attorney further pointed out that the federal authorities failed to provide any evidence of criminal activity by Suri. Suri, who holds a visa as a visiting scholar in the U.S., and his wife, who is a U.S. citizen, have been targeted due to their views on the Israel-Gaza conflict.
According to Suri’s attorney, Tricia McLaughlin, Homeland Security Assistant Secretary, accused Suri of spreading Hamas propaganda and promoting antisemitism on social media, deeming him deportable. Suri was arrested outside his Virginia home on Monday, leaving his family in distress.
The situation escalated when masked agents arrested Suri, refusing to disclose the reasons for his arrest. Suri’s wife, Mapheze Saleh, expressed her fear and concern, stating that they have been unfairly targeted and smeared by right-wing groups.
Georgetown University’s Alwaleed Center, where Suri works as a post-doctoral fellow, denounced his arrest, attributing it to a larger campaign to suppress dissenting voices. Democratic U.S. Rep. Don Beyer criticized the administration’s actions as unconstitutional, highlighting the violation of free speech rights.
Suri’s detention has drawn parallels to other cases of individuals facing deportation over their pro-Palestinian activism. The attorney’s habeas motion seeks Suri’s release and an end to deportation proceedings. Despite the challenges, Suri remains hopeful of pursuing his dream of becoming a university professor, as he continues to fight for his rights in a complex legal battle.