A growing trend of deportation is sweeping across U.S. campuses, focusing on students and scholars involved in political protests, particularly those supporting Palestinian causes. These actions are part of a broader push by the Trump administration to leverage immigration laws to target activists critical of U.S. foreign policy. The detention and deportation fight of Mahmoud Khalil, a graduate student at Columbia University, marked a key example of this trend. Khalil, who was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), now faces deportation due to his involvement in pro-Palestinian protests, signaling a broader government crackdown on campus activism.
Georgetown Postdoctoral Fellow Detained by ICE
Badar Khan Suri, a postdoctoral fellow at Georgetown University, was detained by ICE agents in Arlington, Virginia, after his student visa was revoked. His attorney, Hassan Ahmad, condemned the detention, stating Suri had committed no wrongdoing. Suri, with no criminal record, is scheduled for deportation proceedings in Texas in May and has filed a habeas corpus petition for his release. Georgetown University expressed support for his right to free inquiry, emphasizing that it was unaware of any misconduct on his part. Suri’s detention is part of a larger pattern of targeting academics involved in political activism, particularly in conflict regions related to the Middle East and South Asia.
Columbia University Student Sues to Block Deportation
In a related case, Yunseo Chung, a 21-year-old Columbia University student, is suing the Trump administration to prevent her deportation, claiming retaliation for her pro-Palestinian activism. Chung was arrested during a protest her university’s disciplinary actions against student demonstrators, and ICE moved to deport her. She argues that her deportation is a violation of her First Amendment rights, asserting that it is part of a broader effort to suppress political protests on U.S. college campuses.
Cornell Student Activist Faces Deportation
Momodou Taal, a Ph.D. student at Cornell University, has been asked to surrender to ICE as part of the deportation process. Taal, a dual citizen of the UK and Gambia, is challenging the Trump administration’s executive orders aimed at expelling foreign nationals who support Palestinian causes. His legal team reported that authorities had been seeking information about him at his apartment before sending the surrender notice. This comes after similar deportation efforts targeted other activists, including Khalil, drawing attention to the growing trend of using immigration enforcement to suppress student activism on U.S. campuses.
University Funding Cuts and Increased Tensions
In addition to targeting individual activists, the Trump administration has taken aim at universities themselves, stripping Columbia University of $400 million in federal grants due to its involvement in student protests. These actions signal a broader government push to limit the influence of academic institutions in political activism. The administration justifies these actions under national security claims, asserting that these students' activism harms U.S. foreign policy interests. However, critics argue that these measures are designed to intimidate students and suppress political expression.
These deportation efforts are fueling growing tensions on campuses nationwide. Protests are set to resume at Columbia University and other institutions, with students and faculty fearing increasing government interference in their academic and political freedoms. The cases of Suri, Chung, Taal, and others highlight a concerning trend of government overreach that threatens not only individual rights but also the core values of free speech and academic inquiry in the U.S.
Sources:
Grumbach, Gary. Atkins, Chloe. “Georgetown University graduate student detained by immigration authorities” NBC News. March 19, 2025.
Hill, Michael. Et. Al. “Columbia student protestor who’s lived in the US since age 7 sues to stop deportation order” AP. March 24, 2025.
Lavietes, Matt. “Cornell student activist asked to surrender to ICE” NBC News. March 23, 2025.
