Indian Scholar in US Faces Deportation Over Alleged Hamas Propaganda Spread

Badar Khan Suri, an Indian post-doctoral fellow at Georgetown University, was arrested on Monday night outside his home in Virginia by masked agents reportedly from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). His sudden detention and the subsequent revocation of his visa have sparked intense debate over academic freedom and immigration policies in the United States.

According to a report by Politico, DHS officials informed Suri that his visa had been canceled, citing allegations that he had been “spreading Hamas propaganda” and maintaining “close connections to a known or suspected terrorist.”

Government Allegations and Deportation Order

Tricia McLaughlin, Assistant Secretary at DHS, reinforced these accusations in a post on X (formerly Twitter), stating that Suri had actively promoted Hamas propaganda and antisemitic views on social media. Additionally, she claimed that a senior Hamas advisor was among Suri’s close associates, which led to his designation as deportable under INA section 237(a)(4)(C)(i).

“The Secretary of State issued a determination on March 15, 2025, that Suri’s activities and presence in the United States rendered him deportable,” McLaughlin wrote.

Defense Argues Targeting Over Family Ties

Suri’s attorney, Hassan Ahmad, has strongly denied the allegations, arguing that his client is being unfairly targeted due to his wife’s Palestinian heritage. Suri’s spouse, Mapheze Saleh, a U.S. citizen, is a first-year student at Georgetown University’s Center for Contemporary Arab Studies.

Saleh, originally from Gaza, holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the Islamic University of Gaza and a master’s in conflict analysis and peacebuilding from Jamia Millia Islamia in India. Ahmad contends that Suri’s academic work and family background have been misinterpreted and politicized.

Georgetown University Responds

In response to Suri’s arrest, Georgetown University issued a statement defending his academic integrity.

“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,” a university spokesperson said.

The statement further emphasized the institution’s commitment to free inquiry and open debate, even on difficult and controversial subjects.

Academic Background and Research

Dr. Badar Khan Suri is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Alwaleed Bin Talal Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding within Georgetown’s Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service. This semester, he has been teaching a course on “Majoritarianism and Minority Rights in South Asia.”

A scholar specializing in religion, violence, and peace processes in the Middle East and South Asia, Suri earned his PhD in Peace and Conflict Studies from Jamia Millia Islamia in 2020. His interdisciplinary research has focused on ethnic conflicts, religious extremism, and strategies for peacebuilding.

Similar Cases of Indian Nationals Facing Deportation

Suri’s case is not an isolated incident. Just days earlier, Ranjani Srinivasan, a 37-year-old Indian doctoral student at Columbia University, left the U.S. after her visa was revoked for participating in pro-Palestinian protests.

The U.S. Department of State alleged that Srinivasan’s actions constituted support for Hamas and subsequently canceled her visa on March 5, 2025. Reports indicate that Homeland Security officials obtained footage of her using the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) app to voluntarily depart the country on March 11.

Kristi Noem, Secretary of Homeland Security, publicly labeled Srinivasan a “terrorist sympathizer” on social media, asserting that individuals who “advocate terrorism and violence” have no place in the United States.

Concerns Over Academic Freedom and Immigration Policy

The arrests of Suri and Srinivasan have raised concerns about the intersection of immigration policies, academic freedom, and political expression. Advocacy groups and legal experts argue that such cases could set a dangerous precedent, where scholars and students risk deportation for engaging in controversial or dissenting viewpoints.

As Suri prepares for legal proceedings, the case continues to draw national and international attention. His defense team insists that he is a victim of political targeting, while federal officials maintain that his associations and online activity justify his removal.

The coming weeks will be crucial in determining Suri’s fate, as well as shaping broader debates around free speech and civil liberties in the U.S. academic landscape.

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