Badar Khan Suri
Badar Khan Suri is an Indian academic and postdoctoral fellow at Georgetown University specializing in peace and conflict studies. He gained public attention in March 2025 after being detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on allegations of spreading Hamas propaganda and promoting antisemitism on social media.[1][2] A federal judge subsequently blocked his deportation pending further court proceedings.[3][4]
Early life and academic career
Suri was born and raised in Delhi, India. He completed his Ph.D. in Peace and Conflict Studies in 2020 at the Nelson Mandela Center for Peace and Conflict Resolution, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi. His doctoral thesis, titled "Transitional Democracy, Divided Societies and Prospects for Peace: A Study of State Building in Afghanistan and Iraq," examined the challenges of introducing democracy in ethnically diverse societies and the complexities of state-building efforts.
In 2022, Suri joined Georgetown University as a postdoctoral fellow at the Alwaleed Bin Talal Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding within the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service. His research focuses on religion, violence, peace, and ethnic conflicts, particularly in the Middle East and South Asia. At Georgetown, he taught a course on "Majoritarianism and Minority Rights in South Asia."
University and public response
Georgetown University expressed support for Suri, stating they were unaware of any illegal activity on his part and emphasizing their commitment to free and open inquiry. Dean Joel Hellman of the School of Foreign Service voiced concern over the chilling effect such events could have on freedom of expression within the academic community.[5]
Suri's detention has drawn significant attention from civil rights groups and the academic community, highlighting concerns about academic freedom and the potential suppression of dissenting views related to U.S. foreign policy.
References
- ↑ "Trump is seeking to deport another academic who is legally in the country, lawsuit says", Politico, March 19, 2025
- ↑ Philissa Cramer, "DHS arrests Georgetown researcher who is married to the daughter of a Hamas official", Jewish Telegraphic Agency, March 20, 2025
- ↑ "Trump administration cannot deport pro-Palestinian Georgetown University student: judge", USA Today, March 20, 2025. Accessed March 20, 2025.
- ↑ "Trump administration attempting to deport pro-Palestinian student at Georgetown University", The Guardian, March 20, 2025. Accessed March 20, 2025.
- ↑ "Dean's Statement on Detention of Dr. Badar Suri", Georgetown University School of Foreign Service, March 20, 2025. Accessed March 20, 2025.