Indian Student Accused of Ties to Hamas, Wife's Background Under Scrutiny

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): The US government is taking major action against Indian student Badar Khan Suri, who is accused of having links with the Palestinian group Hamas. Reports indicate that Suri, a PhD student at Georgetown University, may be deported after being labeled as 'harmful' to America’s foreign policy by the Trump administration. The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has alleged that Suri was spreading Hamas propaganda on social media. However, DHS has not provided evidence to back these claims, according to reports from Reuters.

Suri, who is married to Mafiji Saleh, a US citizen from Gaza, was detained at his home in Roslyn, Virginia, on Monday night. His lawyer stated that Suri is awaiting a court date from the immigration court. The lawyer also argued that if the government considers a scholar focused on conflict resolution to be detrimental to foreign policy, it should be addressed by the government, not by scholars.

Suri, who is in the US on a student visa, is studying at Georgetown's Alwaleed Bin Talal Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding. The university has denied any knowledge of Suri’s detention or any illegal activity associated with him. This action comes amidst broader efforts by the Trump administration to deport foreigners participating in Palestine support rallies, including the recent case of Columbia University student Mahmoud Khalil, who also faces deportation for his involvement in such rallies.

The case has raised significant concern, with critics questioning the impact of these measures on academic freedom and political expression.