US authorities seek to deport Indian researcher over alleged Hamas propaganda

According to his lawyer, an Indian researcher studying at Georgetown University, in the US, was arrested by immigration officials and will be Indian deported from US. Badar Khan Suri was arrested on Monday by "masked agents", outside his Virginia home, Politico.

The lawsuit claims that the agents claimed to be from the Department of Homeland Security, and informed him the government had revoked the visa are reported.

Mr Suri was accused of "spreading Hamas propagandist". It is claimed that he has "close ties to a terrorist known or suspected".

Tricia McLaughlin wrote that Suri was a foreign exchange at Georgetown University who actively spread Hamas propaganda on social media and promoted antisemitism.

"Suri is closely connected to a terrorist who is either a suspected or known terrorist or a senior adviser to Hamas." Suri was deported under INA Section 237(a).(4)(C) (i) by the Secretary of State on March 15, 2025.

Hassan Ahmad, Mr Suri’s lawyer, claimed in his petition, that Mr Suri was being punished due to the Palestinian heritage his wife, who is a US Citizen, according Politico. Mapheze Salih is a Gaza-based first-year student in the Center for Contemporary Arab Studies at Georgetown University. She received a bachelor's in journalism and information from the Islamic University of Gaza in Palestine and a Master's in conflict analysis and peaceful resolution at Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi in India.

"Dr. We are unaware of any illegal activities he may have been involved in, nor do we know the reason for his arrest. We support the rights of our Indian student in US to open and free inquiry, debate and deliberation, even if underlying ideas are difficult, controversial, or objectionable. We expect that the legal system will adjudicate on this case fairly."