1. Growing Calls for the Release of Detained Scholar Badar Khan Suri
Alexandria, Virginia – May 1, 2025
“Free him now!” echoed through the streets outside a federal courthouse near Washington, DC, as supporters of Dr. Badar Khan Suri demanded his immediate release. The Georgetown University postdoctoral scholar, originally from India, was arrested in March and now faces deportation — a move critics argue stems from his outspoken support for Palestinian rights.
His wife, Mapheze Saleh, a Palestinian American, addressed the crowd with emotion, stressing the toll his detention has taken on their three children. “Why is this happening to him?” she asked. “Because he dared to speak against genocide in Gaza, and because he married a Palestinian.”
Khan Suri was in the US on an academic visa, conducting research on peace-building. The government now claims he violated visa conditions by allegedly promoting antisemitism and Hamas propaganda online — accusations not substantiated with evidence.
2. Legal Battle Raises Concerns Over Free Speech and Political Retaliation
Advocates argue that Khan Suri’s case reflects a broader erosion of civil liberties, particularly under President Trump’s renewed immigration policies. Amanda Eisenhour, a local activist, called him a political prisoner, asserting that his marriage and activism are the real reasons behind the government’s actions.
Inside the courtroom, legal disputes intensified over jurisdiction. After his arrest in Virginia, Khan Suri was transferred to detention centers in Louisiana and then Texas. Critics say such relocations are strategic, aimed at isolating detainees from their families and legal counsel — especially in states with conservative-leaning courts.
“We hope the court recognizes this manipulation,” said Samah Sisay from the Center for Constitutional Rights. Khan Suri’s lawyers urged for his return to Virginia, where his case originated. Judge Patricia Tolliver Giles has given government attorneys 24 hours to justify his transfer out of state.
3. Activists and Lawmakers Decry Government Overreach and Constitutional Threats
This case has drawn national attention. Legal experts warn that the justification for Khan Suri’s deportation — namely, his marriage to the daughter of a former Hamas official — lacks legal merit. His father-in-law, Ahmed Yousef, has not been affiliated with Hamas for years and has publicly criticized the group.
“There’s no crime in being related to someone,” said ACLU attorney Eden Heilman. “Deporting someone based on family connections alone is dangerous and unconstitutional.”
Democratic Congressman Don Beyer, representing northern Virginia, also voiced support. “This Kafkaesque situation cannot stand,” he said. “Dr. Khan Suri deserves due process, not political persecution.”
Protesters and rights groups insist this case goes beyond one individual. It’s about the right to speak freely, to associate without punishment, and to challenge US policy without fear of deportation.
As chants for justice rang out and signs declared “Due Process Now” and “Bring Khan Suri Back,” the message from supporters was clear: America cannot claim to uphold freedom while detaining scholars for their political beliefs.
