An Indian academic pursuing research at Georgetown University has been taken into custody by US immigration authorities and is facing deportation, as per his legal counsel. Dr. Badar Khan Suri, a postdoctoral fellow, was reportedly detained by masked officials outside his residence in Virginia on Monday night, according to Politico.

The officials, who identified themselves as members of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), informed Suri that his visa had been revoked by the government, according to details from the legal petition.

Accusations Against Suri

Authorities have accused Dr. Suri of "promoting Hamas propaganda" and allege he has "ties to an individual classified as a known or suspected terrorist."

Tricia McLaughlin, an Assistant Secretary at DHS, stated on X that "Suri was a foreign exchange student at Georgetown University, actively spreading Hamas propaganda and advocating antisemitism on social media."

She further alleged that "Suri has close associations with a senior advisor to Hamas, who is recognized as a known or suspected terrorist. Based on these findings, the Secretary of State determined on March 15, 2025, that his activities warrant deportation under INA section 237(a)(4)(C)(i)."

Defense and Legal Challenge

Dr. Suri's attorney, Hassan Ahmad, contends that his client is being targeted due to his wife's Palestinian heritage. Suri’s spouse, Mapheze Saleh, is a first-year student at Georgetown University’s Center for Contemporary Arab Studies. Originally from Gaza, she completed her undergraduate studies in journalism at the Islamic University of Gaza and later earned a master’s degree in conflict resolution from Jamia Millia Islamia in India.

A spokesperson for Georgetown University issued a statement in support of Dr. Suri, noting that he had lawfully obtained a visa to continue his research on peacebuilding in Iraq and Afghanistan. The statement added, “We have not been informed of any unlawful conduct on his part, nor have we received a formal explanation for his detention. We uphold our community members’ rights to free inquiry and discussion, even on contentious topics, and we trust the legal system will handle this case fairly.”

Who Is Dr. Badar Khan Suri?

Dr. Suri is a postdoctoral fellow at Georgetown University’s Alwaleed Bin Talal Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding, part of the Walsh School of Foreign Service. This semester, he has been teaching a course on "Majoritarianism and Minority Rights in South Asia."

He earned his PhD in Peace and Conflict Studies from Jamia Millia Islamia’s Nelson Mandela Center for Peace and Conflict Resolution in 2020. His research focuses on religion, violence, ethnic conflicts, and peace processes in both the Middle East and South Asia, according to Georgetown University's website.

Indian Students Facing Visa Cancellations in the US

Dr. Suri’s case follows another recent incident involving an Indian student in the US. Ranjani Srinivasan, a 37-year-old doctoral candidate in urban planning at Columbia University, chose to leave the country last week after her student visa was revoked. Reports suggest the US Department of State canceled her visa on March 5, 2025, due to alleged involvement in pro-Palestine demonstrations linked to Hamas.

A government statement claimed, "Ranjani Srinivasan participated in activities supporting Hamas, a designated terrorist organization. On March 5, the State Department revoked her visa. Video footage obtained by the Department of Homeland Security shows her using the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) app to self-deport on March 11."

US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem commented on the case via X, labeling Srinivasan a "terrorist sympathizer" and asserting that individuals who "endorse terrorism and violence" should not be allowed to remain in the country.