Georgetown Researcher Badar Khan Suri Released from Immigration Detention
Release of Badar Khan Suri
Badar Khan Suri, an Indian academic affiliated with Georgetown University, was released from a Texas immigration detention facility on Wednesday, following a federal judge's ruling that mandated his release, as reported by various news sources.
Suri had been detained since March 17, when immigration officials arrested him for allegedly disseminating propaganda linked to the Palestinian militant organization Hamas. His visa was reportedly revoked, a claim contested in a lawsuit filed by his attorney.
The moment our brother Dr. Badar Khan Suri was freed. He requested that the first piece of cloth given to him would be his Keffiyeh. pic.twitter.com/QIUmNnk5Dr
— Dr. Omar Suleiman (@omarsuleiman) May 14, 2025
On the same day, US District Judge Patricia Tolliver Giles determined that Suri's detention violated his rights to free speech and due process.
The Department of Homeland Security accused Suri of actively promoting Hamas propaganda and fostering antisemitism on social media. They also claimed he had connections to a senior Hamas advisor, as reported by a media outlet.
Hamas is classified as a terrorist organization in the United States.
However, the Department did not provide specific evidence regarding Suri's alleged activities.
His attorney, Hassan Ahmad, argued that Suri was being targeted due to his wife's Palestinian heritage and the couple's perceived opposition to US foreign policy regarding Israel.
Suri's wife, Mapheze Saleh, was also alleged to have connections with Hamas, according to the petition.
Nonetheless, the court found that there was no substantial evidence presented regarding Suri's supposed pro-Hamas statements.
As a condition of his release, Suri is required to reside in Virginia and attend court hearings.
He serves as a postdoctoral fellow at the Alwaleed Bin Talal Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding at Georgetown University, having earned his PhD in peace and conflict studies from Jamia Millia Islamia University in New Delhi in 2020.
Suri's legal petition indicated that he was facing deportation under a rarely invoked provision of US immigration law, which allows the Secretary of State to deport non-citizens deemed a threat to US foreign policy.
This provision was previously applied in the case of Mahmoud Khalil, a former Columbia University student of Palestinian descent, who was arrested for participating in pro-Palestine demonstrations.
Suri's arrest occurred amid heightened scrutiny of foreign students by the Trump administration, particularly following pro-Palestine protests at US universities.
In response to Suri's detention, the Ministry of External Affairs urged Indian citizens abroad to adhere to local laws.