Badar Khan Suri, an Indian postdoctoral researcher at Georgetown University is currently facing deportation. This is after the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) detained him for speaking up against Israel’s war in Gaza. Tris McLaughlin, assistant secretary at DHS, said on Wednesday that he was spreading Hamas propaganda and promoting antisemitism on social media. If you want to know more about the detention, this article is for you. It brings you everything you need to know about the Georgetown University researcher being detained by DHS.
Georgetown University Researcher Detained By DHS: What Tris McLaughlin Said About The Detention?
According to McLaughlin’s statement, Badar Khan Suri was designated for deportation for spreading Hama propaganda over social media. She also mentioned Suri is accused of promoting antisemitism. McLaughlin took over his X account and stated that Suri had close connections to a known or suspected terrorist who is also a senior advisor to Hamas. She also reported that the Secretary of State issued a determination on the 15th of March 2025 that Suri’s activities and presence in the US rendered him deportable under INA section 237(a)(4)(C)(i). However, she did not provide any evidence proving ties between Suri and Hamas.
What Did Suri’s Petition In Court Say?
Badar Khan Suri is currently detained at a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility located at Alexandria International Airport in Louisiana. Ahmad Hassan, the lawyer who is representing Suri in the court, filed a petition for his release at the US District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. The petition says Suri is expected to get transferred to a detention center in Texas. It also mentioned how masked agents arrested Suri and claimed they were with the DHS. The agents told Suri the government revoked his visa. The petition also reported his wife, Mapheze Saleh, a US citizen of Palestinian descent, has been alleged to have ties with Hamas.
What The University Said About Suri?
Georgetown University spokesperson, in a statement, accepted that Suri was granted a student visa to carry out his research on peace-building in Iraq and Afghanistan. The spokesperson also added that they are not aware of his engagement in any illegal activities. They still haven’t received a reason for his detention. The spokesperson also added that they support their community member’s rights to free and open inquiry, deliberation, and debate. Even though their underlying ideas are difficult, objectionable, or controversial. They also express their hopes that the legal system to adjudicate this case fairly.
Suri’s Activism Over The Internet
An account on X that uses Badar Khan Suri’s name and his affiliation with Georgetown University has actively criticized Israel and expressed support for Palestine. The account also criticized India in June after Palestinian-run Quds News Network posted a video showing the remnants of an Israeli missile labeled “Made in India.” It also claimed many Indians support Israel because of their hate for Muslims and not for their love for Israel.
Similar Detention Of Mahmoud Khalil
The Department of Homeland Security detained Badar Khan Suri within two weeks of another similar detention of Mahmoud Khalil. Just like Suri, Khalil was also a student at Columbia University and was arrested for his involvement in pro-Palestinian protests. The federal court on Wednesday, ruled that Khalil, who is a permanent resident of the US, could proceed with a legal challenge against his deportation orders.
