Detention of Indian Student in U.S. Sparks Concerns Over Political Targeting

Badar Khan Suri, an Indian postdoctoral fellow at Georgetown University, has been detained by U.S. immigration authorities allegedly due to his opposition to U.S. foreign policy regarding Israel. His lawyer argues that the detention stems from his wife’s Palestinian heritage. This incident follows the self-deportation of another Indian student, raising concerns about the treatment of international students opposing U.S. policy.

An Indian national, Badar Khan Suri, currently a postdoctoral fellow at Georgetown University, has been detained by U.S. immigration authorities. His arrest follows closely after another Indian student self-deported amid allegations of supporting Hamas. Suri’s lawyer asserts that his detention is linked to his Palestinian heritage and opposition to U.S. policy towards Israel, raising concerns about political targeting of international students.

Suri is a former student of Jamia Millia Islamia in New Delhi, where he completed a PhD in Peace & Conflict Studies in 2020. His research focused on state-building in notably diverse societies, and he has extensively travelled through various conflict zones. Arrested by agents claiming affiliation with the Department of Homeland Security, Suri is now facing deportation under unusual circumstances associated with political dissenters.

Reports indicate that masked agents arrested Suri outside his residence in Virginia. His lawyer has since filed a petition seeking Suri’s immediate release, emphasizing that he has no criminal record and is devoid of any formal charges. Suri’s case appears reminiscent of that of Mahmoud Khalil, another student detained for alleged anti-Israel activism. Georgetown University has expressed surprise at the detention, vehemently advocating for the rights of their constituents in academic inquiry.

Moreover, Suri’s detention is juxtaposed with the recent self-deportation of Ranjani Srinivasan, another Indian student at Columbia University. Srinivasan’s visa was revoked due to similar allegations of supporting terrorist activities. Both cases illustrate a concerning trend regarding the treatment of international students engaging in politically charged discourse regarding U.S. foreign policy.

The detention of Badar Khan Suri underscores rising tensions surrounding U.S. immigration enforcement and its implications for international students. His case, alongside Ranjani Srinivasan’s, highlights a worrisome intersection of political dissent and immigration law. As authorities pursue stringent measures against perceived dissenters, academic institutions advocate protecting the exchange of diverse and potentially controversial ideas, while maintaining a fair legal adjudication process for those affected.

Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com