Badar Khan Suri, an Indian scholar at Georgetown University, has been detained by U.S. agents despite a court order against deportation. Allegations from the Department of Homeland Security claim he is involved with Hamas propaganda due to his marriage to a Palestinian. His family seeks intervention from the Indian government, while legal experts argue India must protect its citizens abroad.

The family of Badar Khan Suri, an Indian scholar at Georgetown University, is urging the Indian government to intervene following his detention by U.S. agents despite a court order preventing his deportation. Suri, a postdoctoral fellow specializing in peace and conflict studies, was taken into custody outside his home in northern Virginia by agents from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

A DHS official alleged that Suri was “actively spreading Hamas propaganda” and had links to individuals connected to Hamas, making him “deportable”. Suri’s father, Shamshad Ali Khan, insisted that his son has committed no crime, questioning whether expressing support for Palestine warrants such actions.

Suri, who completed his Ph.D. at Jamia Millia Islamia and is married to a Gazan woman with ties to Palestinian political leadership, has had his legal team refute the DHS’s claims. Moreover, a U.S. district judge in Virginia ruled against deportation efforts by the government, but Suri remained in detention as of Saturday.

Khan expressed pride in his son’s academic achievements and noted the support he has received from the university community. Suri’s wife is actively seeking assistance from the Indian Embassy in the United States as Khan appeals to the government for intervention.

The spokesperson for India’s Ministry of External Affairs indicated they were only made aware of the situation through media reports, asserting that immigration matters are sovereign decisions. However, legal experts argue India has an obligation to defend its citizens abroad, calling for diplomatic engagement and consular support for Suri. They contend that his detention violates standard legal protocols, emphasizing the necessity for India to intervene on his behalf.

The case of Badar Khan Suri highlights significant concerns regarding the treatment of foreign nationals in the U.S. and the responsibilities of their home countries to protect them. His family advocates for support from the Indian government, arguing that Suri’s scholarly activities and personal affiliations should not render him subject to deportation. Legal experts reinforce the obligation of the Indian Embassy to ensure Suri’s rights are upheld, signifying the broader implications for diplomatic relations and citizen advocacy.

Original Source: www.arabnews.com

Related posts:

The Controversy Surrounding Badar Khan Suri: Deportation and Academic Scrutiny Detention of Badar Khan Suri: A Controversial Case Amid U.S. Immigration Crackdowns Green Card Holder Badar Khan Suri Faces Deportation Amid Controversy Legal Action in Argentina and Chile Against Israeli Soldier for War Crimes