Georgetown University has responded to the arrest, stating that it supports a fair and transparent legal process. The university emphasized its commitment to due process and the importance of lawful proceedings for all its community members. This arrest comes amid growing scrutiny by U.S. authorities on students and activists perceived to be supporting Palestine. Over the past year, universities across the country have witnessed waves of protests in response to the ongoing conflict in Gaza and U.S. foreign policy in the region.
Washington DC: U.S. federal authorities have arrested Badar Khan Suri, an Indian postdoctoral researcher at Georgetown University, on allegations of connections with the Hamas organization. According to a statement by Tricia McLaughlin, Assistant Secretary at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Suri is accused of promoting support for Hamas and maintaining associations with individuals linked to the group.
Following these allegations, Suri’s U.S. visa was revoked, and he was apprehended by federal agents outside his Virginia residence on Monday. Suri has since contested his detention in immigration court, claiming that he has no prior criminal record. He further alleges that the arrest was influenced by his wife’s Palestinian background.
Georgetown University has responded to the arrest, stating that it supports a fair and transparent legal process. The university emphasized its commitment to due process and the importance of lawful proceedings for all its community members.
This arrest comes amid growing scrutiny by U.S. authorities on students and activists perceived to be supporting Palestine. Over the past year, universities across the country have witnessed waves of protests in response to the ongoing conflict in Gaza and U.S. foreign policy in the region. These protests have led to nearly 2,000 arrests, according to human rights organizations.
In a related incident, DHS recently revoked the visa of another Indian student, Ranjani Srinivasan, who was involved in pro-Palestine demonstrations. Civil liberties groups have raised concerns about what they describe as a pattern of targeting international students who voice opposition to U.S. policies in the Middle East.
Suri’s legal team is preparing to challenge the allegations and the revocation of his visa, asserting that he is being unjustly targeted amid a politically charged environment.
For blitzy blare / key phrase — Georgetown or Homeland Security/ Category – world / trump, tags – Inian srtudent, US Federal authorities, Georgetown University
COMMENTS