Background on Badar Khan Suri’s Case

Badar Khan Suri, a postdoctoral fellow at Georgetown University and Indian national, was recently detained by masked agents from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) near his residence in Virginia. His abduction reflects a troubling trend affecting foreign students who engage in discussions regarding Palestinian rights and criticize U.S. policies in Gaza, which many have labeled as acts of genocide.

Community Reaction

In a joint statement issued on Friday, concerned alumni, students, faculty, and staff at Georgetown condemned these actions. They characterized the political motivations behind Suri’s detention as authoritarian, stating, “the growing wave of politically motivated campus deportation efforts is an authoritarian move that harms the entire campus community.”

The statement emphasizes the profound impact on Suri’s life as well as the fear it instilled in his family, friends, colleagues, and students. It draws attention to similar cases involving other international students, further framing these deportations as violations of civil liberties.

Broader Implications and Concerns

The group highlighted a pattern of unjust actions targeting members of the Palestinian, Arab, and Muslim communities, associating these efforts with attempts to cultivate a safer environment for Jewish students. They argue that such strategies serve as a smokescreen for a broader authoritarian agenda by the Trump administration.

“President Donald Trump is weaponizing Jewish identity, faith, and fears of antisemitism as a smokescreen for his authoritarian agenda, further damaging the campus climate for everyone,” the statement asserts.

Call to Action

The statement calls for the immediate release of all individuals unjustly detained and urges elected officials, as well as Jewish leaders and organizations, to clearly denounce the federal government’s actions. It affirms the university’s Jesuit commitment to fostering an environment where community members can freely express their thoughts, advocating for the recognition of human dignity.

University’s Response

In response to inquiries about the deportation efforts, DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin dismissed the concerns as “absurd mental gymnastics.” The university is actively maintaining a webpage to keep the community informed about U.S. immigration policy updates. Recent posts indicate that approximately six members of the community have had their immigration status revoked, with limited explanations provided by the government.

Student Activism

In light of these issues, students have formed the GU Student Coalition Against Repression. This group has organized protests, including a recent sit-in that was moved outside the university gates after being forcibly removed by campus police. Their actions coincide with the campus visit weekend for prospective students, emphasizing the urgent need for change.