An Indian student researcher has been detained in the United States over an alleged link to the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas as the Trump administration’s effort to deport pro-Palestine activists intensifies, media reports said.
Badar Khan Suri, a researcher at Georgetown University, is facing deportation after his detention by the Trump administration.
He has also been accused of spreading Hamas propaganda and antisemitism on social media.
Suri is accused of having a close tie with a “known” or “suspected terrorist”.
Tricia McLaughlin, Assistant Secretary Department of Homeland Security, posted on X, “Suri was a foreign exchange student at Georgetown University actively spreading Hamas propaganda and promoting antisemitism on social media.
“Suri has close connections to a known or suspected terrorist, who is a senior advisor to Hamas. The Secretary of State issued a determination on March 15, 2025 that Suri’s activities and presence in the United States rendered him deportable under INA section 237(a)(4)(C)(i).”
Suri, who is studying and teaching on a student visa, is pursuing “doctoral research on peacebuilding in Iraq and Afghanistan”.
A spokesperson of Georgetown University said in a statement as quoted by CNN News 18, “We are not aware of him engaging in any illegal activity, and we have not received a reason for his detention.
“We support our community members’ rights to free and open inquiry, deliberation and debate, even if the underlying ideas may be difficult, controversial or objectionable. We expect the legal system to adjudicate this case fairly.”
Suri’s lawyer said his client, who is married to an American citizen, is now awaiting a date in the immigration court.
His lawyer claimed Suri was victimised because of his wife’s Palestinian origin.
Earlier, the Trump administration had controversially arrested Columbia University student and a green card holder, Mahmoud Khalil, for his participation in the pro-Palestine campus protest last year.
