Indian Researcher Detained in the US Over Alleged Links to Hamas

Washington, D.C.: The Donald Trump administration has detained an Indian national and postdoctoral fellow, Badar Khan Suri, over allegations of spreading antisemitism and having ties to the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas. Fox News, citing the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), reported that Suri was taken into custody by federal agents outside his home in Virginia on Monday night. His arrest came after he was informed that his visa was being revoked.

Suri, a researcher at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., has been accused of promoting antisemitic narratives and maintaining links with Hamas, an organization designated as a terrorist group by the U.S. government. His detention has sparked debate within the academic community and human rights groups, with some questioning the charges against him and demanding transparency in the case.

According to Suri’s lawyer, he is married to an American citizen and is currently awaiting a date in immigration court. The legal proceedings will determine his future status in the United States. While the Trump administration has maintained a firm stance on national security and counterterrorism efforts, critics argue that academic freedom and due process should be upheld in such cases.

The arrest has drawn reactions from various quarters, with some supporting the government’s decision to crack down on individuals suspected of extremist ties, while others caution against targeting scholars without sufficient evidence. Georgetown University has not yet issued an official statement regarding Suri’s detention, and it remains unclear whether his academic work played a role in the allegations against him.

As the legal process unfolds, all eyes will be on the U.S. immigration court’s decision, which could have significant implications for both Suri and the broader academic community.