Badar Khan Suri, a postdoctoral fellow at Georgetown University, was detained by federal immigration agents on March 17, 2025, amid serious allegations that could threaten his future in the United States. The Indian national, who has been a prominent voice in peacebuilding research, was accused of spreading propaganda that supports Hamas and promoting antisemitism on social media.
Sources report that masked agents from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) arrested Suri outside his home in Rosslyn, Virginia, informing him that his visa had been revoked. As of March 19, he was being held in an immigration facility in Alexandria, Louisiana, pending a court hearing. Suri’s attorney, Hassan Ahmad, described the detention as "beyond contemptible," insisting his client had done nothing wrong.
"Dr. Khan Suri is an Indian national who was duly granted a visa to enter the United States to continue his doctoral research on peacebuilding in Iraq and Afghanistan. We are not aware of him engaging in any illegal activity, and we have not received a reason for his detention," said a Georgetown University spokesperson, echoing concerns about political motivations behind the detention.
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin justified Suri's arrest, indicating that he was "actively spreading Hamas propaganda and promoting antisemitism on social media." She claimed Suri maintains "close connections to a known or suspected terrorist, who is a senior advisor to Hamas." However, critics argue that no evidence has been provided to substantiate these allegations.
In a broader context, Suri’s detention is part of a crackdown by the Trump administration on international scholars and activists who express dissent toward U.S. foreign policy. Just nine days prior to Suri’s arrest, Mahmoud Khalil, a student activist from Columbia University, was also detained under similar accusations related to his pro-Palestinian activism. Both cases have sparked protests across various university campuses, including Georgetown, with advocates asserting that these actions violate free speech rights.
Suri, who teaches classes on majoritarianism and minority rights in South Asia, completed his Ph.D. in peace and conflict studies from Jamia Millia Islamia in New Delhi in 2020. His research interests focus on religious diversity and ethnic conflicts, making his detainment not only a personal crisis but also a significant loss for academic discourse.
Suri’s wife, Mapheze Saleh, a U.S. citizen and first-year graduate student at Georgetown, has also attracted scrutiny due to her Palestinian heritage. Saleh’s father, Ahmad Yousef, previously held a political position with Hamas, which many believe has led to increased scrutiny over her and Suri’s affiliations. "If an accomplished scholar who focuses on conflict resolution is whom the government decides is bad for foreign policy, then perhaps the problem is with the government, not the scholar," Ahmad stated.
Georgetown University has stood by Suri, emphasizing the importance of free and open inquiry, even if the ideas presented are controversial. The university has stated it expects the legal system to adjudicate the case fairly.
The situation has raised alarm among civil rights and immigrant advocacy groups, with many attempting to advocate against what they perceive as politically motivated deportations. Jeremy Varon, a spokesperson for one such group, expressed concern over the chilling effects these arrests may have on academic freedom, especially for scholars from backgrounds associated with politically sensitive issues.
As America’s political landscape continues to shift, the implications of Suri’s case resonate far beyond his individual circumstances. It calls into question the freedoms granted to foreign scholars conducting research in the U.S., raising fears of a precedent that could impact countless others dedicated to fostering understanding and conflict resolution.
Currently awaiting a hearing, Suri’s case is emblematic of a broader narrative regarding free speech and foreign policy dissent in America. With immigration hearings often shrouded in uncertainty, there is significant concern about the fate of intellectual discourse in the face of growing governmental scrutiny of political belief systems.
The next steps for Suri and his legal team are crucial, as they navigate a complex environment that seems increasingly hostile to those challenging conventional narratives. Advocates on campuses nationwide will be watching, ready to rally for the rights of academics and students to freely express their views, regardless of political implications.
