Introduction to the Case
Badar Khan Suri, a Georgetown University professor and postdoctoral scholar, was arrested and targeted for deportation by the Trump administration last month. Suri, who was born in India and is in the U.S. on a student visa, had been teaching a course on minority rights in South Asia at the university’s School of Foreign Service (SFS). According to members of the Georgetown community, Suri was most concerned for his students after he was detained.
Concern for Students
A student and faculty members told NBC News that amid the shock of his arrest, Suri still kept his class at the forefront of his mind. One of his students, Roudah, who requested to be identified by her first name out of fear of retaliation, said she spoke to his family not long after he was detained. “As he was being arrested by these masked men in normal clothing who just pulled up in front of their apartment building, he told her, ‘Take care of my students. Make sure that they have someone to teach the class,’” Roudah said of his final conversation with his wife before he was taken away.
“He wasn’t worried about what’s going to happen to him and his reputation. He was worried about his students.”
Current Status
Suri, whose attorneys filed a petition challenging his detainment, is currently being held in Texas at an ICE detention center. He was sent there after first being detained at a Virginia facility and then transferred to Louisiana due to a lack of space, according to court documents. The government this week filed a motion to dismiss or move his case to another jurisdiction. Attorneys for Suri have asked the court to return him to Virginia and release him pending the proceedings.
Allegations Against Suri
Suri, who has been a postdoc at Georgetown for the past three years, was accused by the Department of Homeland Security of “actively spreading Hamas propaganda and promoting antisemitism on social media.” ICE did not immediately return NBC News’ request for comment. But assistant DHS Secretary Tricia McLaughlin addressed Suri’s detention on X, saying that “Suri has close connections to a known or suspected terrorist, who is a senior advisor to Hamas.”
Support from the University Community
Suri’s wife, an American citizen who is originally from Gaza, is also a student at the university. Her father, Ahmed Yousef, is a former adviser to now-deceased Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh. In an interview with The New York Times, Yousef said he left his position more than a decade ago. He has also been outspoken in his criticism of Hamas. Suri’s attorney Hassan Ahmad previously told NBC News that he has never made any pro-Hamas or antisemitic comments, calling his detention “contemptible.” Joel Hellman, dean of the School of Foreign Service, said in a statement last month that the school did not observe any threatening behavior.
Impact on Students
Roudah said Suri’s arrest has prompted a great deal of anxiety for the students in his tight-knit seminar of five. While another professor has helped pick up the course, she said it’s difficult to replace Suri and the connection he had with his students. Roudah said she and her classmates often looked forward to his weekly lectures that he’d deliver over two and a half hours without reading from notes. “He’s one of the most academically smartest people I’ve ever met in my whole entire life,” Roudah said. “This class doesn’t count for any of my graduation requirements, and I fully took it just because of Dr. Badar.”
Suri’s Character
Roudah added that Suri encouraged students to ask questions. And though the students would often skip the class readings, Roudah said Suri wouldn’t put too much pressure on them to speak up, as he “wouldn’t want to embarrass us.” “He’s 1,000% very laid-back. He’s very chill,” Roudah said. “He’s slowly but surely made his way into everyone’s hearts.” The first conversation that Suri had with his wife while in ICE detention also revolved around his students, worried about whether they’d be able to continue their studies, Dr. Fida Adely, a colleague of Suri’s, said.
Conclusion
The arrest of Badar Khan Suri has sent shockwaves through the Georgetown University community, with many expressing concern for his students and his family. As Suri and his family continue to push for his release, it is clear that his dedication to his students and his research has had a lasting impact on those around him. It remains to be seen how Suri’s case will unfold, but one thing is certain – his students and colleagues will continue to advocate for his release and for the rights of all individuals to pursue their academic and professional goals without fear of persecution.
FAQs
- Q: Who is Badar Khan Suri?
A: Badar Khan Suri is a Georgetown University professor and postdoctoral scholar who was arrested and targeted for deportation by the Trump administration. - Q: What was Suri accused of?
A: Suri was accused by the Department of Homeland Security of “actively spreading Hamas propaganda and promoting antisemitism on social media.” - Q: Where is Suri currently being held?
A: Suri is currently being held in Texas at an ICE detention center. - Q: What has been the response from the Georgetown University community?
A: The Georgetown University community has expressed concern and support for Suri, with many advocating for his release and criticizing the allegations against him. - Q: What is the current status of Suri’s case?
A: Suri’s attorneys have filed a petition challenging his detainment, and the government has filed a motion to dismiss or move his case to another jurisdiction.
