Badar Khan Suri, an Indian-origin postdoctoral associate at Georgetown University, faces deportation after being accused of spreading Hamas propaganda and having ties to terrorism. He has worked on significant issues in peace and conflict studies. His case raises critical questions regarding immigration, national security, and academic freedom.
Badar Khan Suri, an Indian-origin researcher at Georgetown University, faces deportation due to allegations of “spreading Hamas propaganda” and his supposed connections to terrorism. Suri has been teaching a course titled “Majoritarianism and Minority Rights in South Asia” and was in the U.S. on a visa intended for his doctoral research concerning peacebuilding in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Suri’s arrest occurred outside his Virginia residence, conducted by masked agents, according to Politico. The Assistant Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, Tricia McLaughlin, stated that Suri is accused of promoting anti-Semitism and has close ties to a known or suspected Hamas affiliate. A determination issued by the Secretary of State on March 15, 2025, deemed Suri’s actions as grounds for deportation as outlined under INA section 237(a)(4)(C)(i).
Dr. Badar Khan Suri currently serves as a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Alwaleed Bin Talal Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding at Georgetown University and holds a PhD in Peace and Conflict Studies from Jamia Millia Islamia. His doctoral thesis discussed the challenges of democracy and state building in ethnically diverse societies, specifically analyzing Afghanistan and Iraq.
Mr. Suri’s academic interests encompass religion, violence and peace, along with ethnic conflicts and peace processes within the Middle East and South Asia. His profile at Georgetown University has recently been made private. Suri’s wife, Mapheze Saleh, is a U.S. citizen, originally from Gaza, and is currently a first-year student at Georgetown University’s Center for Contemporary Arab Studies.
In summary, Badar Khan Suri’s situation highlights significant complexities surrounding immigration, academic freedom, and national security. Allegations against him include promoting terrorism and antisemitism, which have led to serious legal actions for deportation. Furthermore, Suri’s academic contributions focus on critical issues in peace studies, while his personal connections complicate the emerging narrative. The outcome of this case could have broader implications for scholars dealing with similar political sensitivities.
Original Source: www.ndtv.com
