Supporters of Palestinian causes with connections to American universities are facing increasing scrutiny and detention under the Trump administration's strict immigration enforcement policies. Following the violent escalation in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict after the attacks by Hamas on October 7, 2023, President Donald Trump and other administration officials have labeled many protesters as “pro-Hamas.” This designation has raised significant concerns about freedom of speech and the treatment of activists voicing dissent against Israeli military actions in Gaza.
In recent weeks, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has taken into custody or deported more than half a dozen individuals linked to pro-Palestinian activism. These detentions have sparked outrage and fear among students and activists who advocate for Palestinian rights. Among those detained is Rumeysa Ozturk, a 30-year-old Turkish doctoral student at Tufts University, who was apprehended while walking in suburban Boston. A senior spokesperson from the Department of Homeland Security alleged that Ozturk “engaged in activities in support of Hamas,” but her friends argue that her activism was limited to co-authoring an op-ed urging Tufts to address student demands regarding ties to Israel.
Another notable case involves Mahmoud Khalil, a legal U.S. resident and Palestinian activist who was arrested this month. Khalil was prominent in protests at Columbia University last year and is now fighting deportation after the Trump administration revoked his green card, claiming his activism constituted antisemitic support for Hamas. Khalil, born in Syria and married to an American citizen, served as a negotiator for student protests aimed at ending campus encampments.
Yunseo Chung, a Columbia student and lawful U.S. resident, was also arrested during a sit-in at nearby Barnard College, protesting the expulsion of students involved in pro-Palestinian activism. The Department of Homeland Security is seeking to deport Chung, citing “concerning conduct” related to her arrest. Fortunately, a judge has ordered that immigration agents refrain from detaining her while her legal challenges are underway.
Badar Khan Suri, a visiting scholar at Georgetown University from India, was detained at his Virginia home by federal agents. Allegations against Suri include spreading Hamas propaganda, with his attorney arguing that he was targeted due to his social media presence and his wife's identity as a Palestinian. Currently, Suri is in a detention facility in Louisiana, and his legal team is advocating for his release and the cessation of deportation proceedings.
Leqaa Kordia, a Newark, New Jersey resident, has been detained for allegedly overstaying her student visa. Federal authorities claim that Kordia is a Palestinian from the West Bank who was arrested during pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University. However, Columbia has stated that it has no record of her enrollment. Kordia is currently held in an immigration detention center in Alvarado, Texas.
Ranjani Srinivasan, an Indian doctoral student at Columbia, fled the U.S. after immigration agents sought her out at her university residence. The administration revoked her visa, accusing her of advocating for violence and terrorism. Srinivasan opted for self-deportation, although her legal team disputes the evidence cited by the government.
Alireza Doroudi, a doctoral student at the University of Alabama, was taken into ICE custody without a clear explanation from the university or the student newspaper. Doroudi, originally from Iran and studying mechanical engineering, maintains that he is unaware of any criminal activity or violations of his immigration status.
Dr. Rasha Alawieh, a Lebanese kidney transplant specialist, was deported this month despite a federal judge’s order to delay her removal until a hearing could take place. Homeland Security officials justified her deportation by citing her admission of supporting former Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, a claim she refuted by stating her interest was limited to his religious teachings. Alawieh was set to begin her role as an assistant professor of medicine at Brown University.
Lastly, Momodou Taal, a doctoral student at Cornell University, had his visa revoked following his participation in campus demonstrations. As a citizen of both the United Kingdom and Gambia, Taal is challenging his detention in court, asserting that he was exercising his rights to free speech during protests. He has expressed feelings of confinement despite having done nothing illegal.
The *detention of activists supporting Palestinian causes* raises serious questions about free speech rights and the implications of the Trump administration's immigration policies. As these cases unfold, it is crucial for students, institutions, and advocates to remain vigilant and support those affected by these crackdowns. The growing trend of detaining pro-Palestinian activists must be addressed to uphold the values of justice and free expression in the United States.
