Federal Authorities Detain Georgetown University Scholar
WASHINGTON — Federal immigration authorities have apprehended a Georgetown University doctoral candidate from India. The individual, holding a student visa, was also teaching at the Washington D.C. institution, according to his legal representative.
Arrest and Detention Details
Badar Khan Suri, the graduate student, was taken into custody by masked agents outside his residence in Arlington, Virginia, on Monday evening, stated attorney Hassan Ahmad.
According to Ahmad, the agents identified themselves as officials from the Department of Homeland Security. They informed Suri that the government had revoked his visa.
News of the detention was initially reported by Politico.
Ahmad described Suri’s detention as “beyond contemptible,” asserting his client has not engaged in any wrongdoing.
Georgetown University has stated they are unaware of any misconduct on Suri’s part.
Both the Department of Homeland Security and the State Department have not yet responded to requests for comment regarding Suri’s detention and the reasons behind it.
Currently, Suri is being held at the Alexandria Staging Facility in Alexandria, Louisiana, as indicated by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainee locator. Ahmad has verified his location, where he awaits an immigration hearing.
Comparison to Columbia University Case
Suri’s apprehension occurs amidst the Trump administration’s efforts to deport Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University graduate student involved in protests concerning Israel and the Gaza conflict. The government is invoking a section of immigration law related to “foreign policy consequences” in Khalil’s case.
“To witness our government seize and imprison another innocent individual is beyond contemptible,” reiterated Ahmad, Suri’s lawyer. “If the government deems an accomplished scholar focused on conflict resolution as detrimental to foreign policy, then perhaps the issue lies with the government’s approach, not the scholar.”
Scholar’s Background and University Affiliation
Suri is a postdoctoral fellow at the Alwaleed Bin Talal Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding within the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University, according to his university profile.
His biography details the completion of his Ph.D. in peace and conflict studies from the Nelson Mandela Center for Peace and Conflict Resolution at Jamia Millia Islamia in New Delhi in 2020. His doctoral thesis explored “Transitional Democracy, Divided Societies and Prospects for Peace: A Study of State Building in Afghanistan and Iraq.”
University Statement on Detention
Georgetown University maintains they have not received an explanation for Suri’s detention.
“We are not aware of him participating in any unlawful activities, nor have we been provided with a rationale for his detention. We uphold our community members’ rights to free and open inquiry, discussion and debate, even when the ideas presented may be challenging, controversial or objectionable,” the university declared. “We anticipate a fair adjudication of this case by the legal system.”
Suri’s Research and Expertise
Suri’s university profile notes his extensive travel in conflict regions within India, Pakistan, Iran, Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, and Palestinian territories.
Described as an “interdisciplinary scholar,” his research interests encompass religion, violence and peace, ethnic conflicts, and peace processes in the Middle East and South Asia.
Currently, he is engaged in a project examining factors impeding cooperation among religiously diverse societies and exploring potential solutions to overcome these obstacles.
Legal Actions and Context
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has defended the attempts to deport Khalil, asserting that “no one has a right to a student visa.” However, a judge has issued a temporary block on Khalil’s deportation.
Last week, ICE also arrested Leqaa Kordia, a Palestinian woman involved in Columbia protests, for overstaying her student visa, officials reported.
Suri’s attorney has initiated a petition for a writ of habeas corpus in federal court in Virginia. This legal action seeks to determine the legality of his detainment.