A federal court in the United States has intervened to halt the deportation of Badar Khan Suri, an Indian national and postdoctoral fellow at Georgetown University. Suri was apprehended by masked immigration agents outside his residence in northern Virginia on Monday night. He was taken into custody by U.S. immigration authorities and transported to the Alexandria Staging Facility in Louisiana, where he is currently being held.
Suri's arrest was prompted by accusations from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which alleged that he spread Hamas propaganda on social media and maintained close connections with a known or suspected terrorist. The allegations have resulted in the revocation of his student visa, placing him at risk of expulsion from the country.
Both Suri's legal representative and his employer have vehemently denied the accusations. His lawyer stated that these claims are unfounded, and Georgetown University has expressed support for Suri, maintaining that the allegations lack merit.
In a significant development, Judge Patricia Tolliver Giles issued a court order blocking Suri's deportation.
"Badar Khan Suri shall not be removed from the United States unless and until the Court issues a contrary order," stated Judge Giles.
The arrest and subsequent legal proceedings have brought attention to Suri's situation, with his family expressing concern over his wellbeing and their need for his presence. Mapheze Saleh, Suri's spouse, voiced her distress.
"As a mother of three children, I desperately need his support to take care of them and me," said Saleh. "Our children are in desperate need of their father and miss him dearly."
The DHS has maintained its stance on the accusations against Suri, with spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin providing further details.
"Badar Khan Suri is accused of actively spreading Hamas propaganda and promoting antisemitism on social media," McLaughlin stated.
"He has close connections to a known or suspected terrorist, who is a senior adviser to Hamas," added McLaughlin.
Nevertheless, Suri's court filings suggest a pattern of targeted harassment, indicating that he
"has long been doxxed and smeared."
Suri's case has drawn attention from different sectors, including human rights advocates and academia, who are monitoring the developments closely. His arrest raises questions about the balance between national security measures and academic freedom, sparking debates on social media platforms.
Georgetown University has reiterated its dedication to upholding academic freedom and addressing any concerns related to its faculty members. The university remains committed to supporting Suri throughout the legal process.
