In a move that has ignited widespread debate, Georgetown University researcher Badar Khan Suri has been detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in what officials claim is part of a larger effort to combat extremism on college campuses. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed Suri’s detention on Wednesday, linking him to pro-Hamas propaganda, an allegation his supporters say is politically motivated and without evidence.
Suri, an Indian national, was working as a postdoctoral associate at Georgetown, focusing on peacebuilding efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan while teaching under a student visa. Georgetown University issued a statement supporting Suri, emphasizing that his visa was legally obtained for academic purposes.
“We are not aware of him engaging in any illegal activity, and we have not received a reason for his detention,” a Georgetown University spokesperson told CBS News. “We support our community members’ rights to free and open inquiry, deliberation, and debate. We expect the legal system to adjudicate this case fairly.”
However, DHS officials contend that Suri was actively involved in spreading Hamas propaganda and antisemitic rhetoric on social media. A DHS spokesperson further alleged that Suri had close ties to a known or suspected terrorist who is a senior adviser to Hamas, though no specific evidence supporting this claim was provided.
Adding to the uncertainty, Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a determination on March 15 stating that Suri’s activities made him deportable under the Immigration and Nationality Act. The exact details of his detention remain unclear, but ICE’s online detention locator confirmed that Suri is being held at an ICE facility at Alexandria International Airport in Louisiana.
In response, a writ of habeas corpus was filed on March 18, challenging Suri’s detention and demanding his release. CBS News has reached out to Suri’s legal team for comment, but no official statement has been made.
A Growing Crackdown on Campus Activists
Suri’s arrest follows the controversial case of Columbia University student Mahmoud Khalil, who was detained by ICE agents on March 8 in New York City. Khalil, a 30-year-old Algerian national born in Syria to Palestinian parents, was actively involved in the 2024 pro-Palestinian campus protests and had been a vocal advocate for Palestinian rights.
Khalil’s arrest, which took place in front of his eight-months-pregnant wife, has drawn significant backlash from civil rights groups and student organizations. Like Suri, Khalil was transferred to an ICE detention facility in Louisiana.
DHS officials claim Khalil’s arrest was in support of President Trump’s executive orders prohibiting antisemitism, alleging that he led activities aligned with Hamas. No criminal charges or specific evidence of these claims has been publicly disclosed.
A federal judge ruled on Wednesday that Khalil’s legal case would be heard in New Jersey, rather than New York or Louisiana, complicating the legal proceedings. Khalil was briefly held in New Jersey before being moved to Louisiana, where he remains in ICE custody.
Legal and Political Fallout
The detentions of Suri and Khalil have fueled concerns over politically motivated crackdowns on campus activists. Civil rights advocates argue that these arrests are meant to intimidate students and scholars who express controversial opinions on U.S. foreign policy and Middle Eastern affairs.
“This is part of a disturbing pattern of targeting students and academics who criticize U.S. foreign policy or advocate for Palestinian rights,” said a spokesperson for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). “It is a direct assault on free speech and academic freedom.”
On the other side, Republican officials and administration allies defend the detentions, stating that national security must take priority.
“We will not allow foreign nationals to spread anti-American rhetoric, incite violence, or align themselves with terrorist organizations while benefiting from our educational institutions,” said a DHS official.
Impact on International Scholars and Students
The arrests of Suri and Khalil have sent shockwaves through the academic community, raising concerns about the vulnerability of international students and researchers. Universities across the country have expressed unease about the chilling effect this could have on academic discourse and research.
Legal experts warn that these detentions could set a dangerous precedent, where individuals can be detained or deported based on vague allegations rather than concrete evidence. The increased scrutiny on student visas and international scholars could deter foreign academics from pursuing research in the U.S., fearing that their work or political views could be misinterpreted as a security threat.
For now, Suri’s fate remains uncertain, as his legal team fights to challenge the detention order. His case, along with Khalil’s, is expected to go through federal court proceedings, where the administration’s handling of campus activism and immigration enforcement will be closely scrutinized.
With these cases developing, the debate over academic freedom, national security, and immigration policy is likely to escalate in the coming months, with far-reaching consequences for students, scholars, and policymakers alike.