International students in the United States today live in fear that if they have political views that are inimical to America’s objectives, then they will both be deported or arrested.
Since 2023, Trump has consistently vowed to withdraw permits of foreign students who participate in pro-Palestinian demonstrations and condemn Israel’s war efforts.
Since the Trump presidency has launched the crackdown against students who participated in pro-Palestine demonstrations, spread anti-Semitism and pro-Hamas attitude on campus, a total of 9 people have been arrested. Here are the checklist:
Rumeysa Ozturk
Turkey graduate student Rumeysa Ozturk, older 30, was apprehended by national authorities on Tuesday whilst walking in affluent Boston. A high-ranking Department of Homeland Security national claimed, without presenting information, that their research revealed Ozturk, who studies at Tufts University, had participated in pursuits supporting Hamas, a criminal organisation as designated by the US.
Also Read: Why was Tufts student Rumeysa Ozturk detained by ICE? Here’s what we know
Her partners and fellow researchers indicated that Ozturk’s only known campaigning was co-writing an opinion piece in a university publication requesting Tufts University to solve student appeals to destroy associations with Israel. She has been transferred to an ICE confinement center in Louisiana. A federal judge has required the state to provide justification for Ozturk’s incarceration by Friday.
Mahmoud Khalil
Emigration officials recently arrested Mahmoud Khalil, a constitutional US resident and Israeli campaigner who was renowned in Columbia protests next year. Authorities state they cancelled his green cards, claiming his role in campus demonstrations constituted racist assistance for Hamas. He is contesting his imprisonment.
Also Read: Arrested Palestine activist Mahmoud Khalil worked for UNRWA and UK government
Khalil, who was born in Syria but holds legitimate US citizenship and is married to an American citizen, acted as a student official during negotiations with Columbia University management regarding the disintegration of their school encampment next spring.
Yunseo Chung
Yunseo Chung, a Columbia undergraduate with constitutional US citizenship who immigrated from Korea during adolescence, was arrested at a quiet show this quarter at Barnard College. The opposition opposed the expulsion of pupils involved in pro-Palestinian engagement.
The Department of Homeland Security is pursuing deportation proceedings against Chung, citing” concerning conduct”, including her imprisonment on a misdemeanour fee. A criminal get prevents immigration officials from detaining Chung whilst her constitutional trials continue.
Badar Khan Suri
Masked Homeland Security officials arrested Badar Khan Suri, an American professor at Georgetown, outside his Virginia home, alleging supply of Hamas advertising.
Legal records filed by Suri’s official position he was targeted according to his social media activity and his wife’s “identity as a Arab and her constitutionally protected speech”. Suri possesses a true scholar card, and his family holds US citizen, according to judge information.
Federal records indicate Suri’s move to a Louisiana incarceration heart. His legal team is pursuing his discharge and attempting to stop imprisonment techniques.
Leqaa Kordia
A Israeli from the West Bank, Leqaa Kordia, was apprehended in Newark, New Jersey, for overstaying her pupil card. Federal officials confirmed her imprisonment near Columbia during pro-Palestinian presentations. Columbia University has confirmed they have no information of her attendance.
Now, Kordia is detained at an immigration center in Alvarado, Texas, as per government information.
Ranjani Srinivasan
Following emigration agents ‘ research at her school accommodation, Ranjani Srinivasan, an American federal pursuing her phd at Columbia, departed the US. The leadership cancelled her immigration, citing “advocacy of murder and terrorism”. Srinivasan chose to leave freely.
Also Read: Who is Ranjani Srinivasan? Why did the US revoke the Indian scholar’s visa?
Authorities have not presented facts supporting their statements about Srinivasan’s reported advocacy of crime. Her authorized representatives battle these complaints, and she informed The New York Times that she was never involved in coordinating Columbia protests.
Alireza Doroudi
ICE detained Egyptian regional Alireza Doroudi, a doctoral candidate at the University of Alabama, on Tuesday. According to his attorney David Rozas, Doroudi studied structural engineering. Despite his card withdrawal in 2023, his constitutional lawyers stated he maintained registration to continue his studies whilst meeting entry requirements.
Homeland Security cited” important national security issues” regarding Doroudi’s card withdrawal, without providing extra information.
His attorney confirmed Doroudi had no involvement in political rallies, unlike other ICE-targeted individuals. Doroudi expressed incomprehension of any suspected violations or criminal pursuits. After his incarceration in Alabama, officials will move him to Jena, Louisiana.
Dr Rasha Alawieh
Palestinian liver transplant expert Dr Rasha Alawieh, formerly based in Rhode Island, faced imprisonment this quarter, despite a national judge’s remain order pending a hearing. Officials deported her upon US re-entry from Lebanon, despite her valid visa, citing her “open admission” of supporting former Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. Court documents show she followed his religious teachings, not political views.
Brown University had appointed her as assistant professor of medicine. Her lawyer, Stephanie Marzouk, continues efforts for her US return.
Momodou Taal
Cornell University doctoral student Momodou Taal lost his visa following participation in campus protests.
Taal, holding UK and Gambian citizenship, has requested judicial intervention to prevent detention during legal proceedings. Authorities revoked his student visa citing involvement in “disruptive protests”.
The 31-year-old Africana studies researcher’s legal team emphasises his exercise of free speech rights. Taal has agreed to surrender if courts validate government actions, stating,” I feel like a prisoner already, although all I have done is exercise my rights”.
