Badar Khan Suri

Georgetown University scholar.

Badar Khan Suri was detained in March 2025 during a federal crackdown on international scholars, particularly those viewed as critical of U.S. policies on Israel and Palestine. He was released from detention in May after a federal judge ruled in his favor.

Suri reached a settlement with the Trump administration allowing him to return to work as a postdoctoral fellow while continuing to fight deportation proceedings. The government agreed to reinstate his legal status, which had been terminated earlier amid allegations (without evidence) of promoting Hamas. This settlement also protects the legal status of his children and enables him to resume teaching and research at Georgetown as his case progresses in immigration court.

The settlement averted a scheduled court hearing and requires the government to give Suri at least 21 days’ notice before any immigration action based on new grounds.

Georgetown University has strongly supported Suri and other international scholars affected by these immigration policies, condemning the federal government’s actions as violating constitutional rights including free speech protections under the First Amendment. The case is part of a broader legal struggle against what is seen as politically motivated deportations targeting academic freedom.

In summary, Badar Khan Suri is now legally permitted to return to work at Georgetown while his deportation case is ongoing, with his legal status restored and protections extended to his family during litigation.