Since the inauguration of President Donald Trump, the U.S. government has intensified its immigration enforcement against international students and scholars who have participated in pro-Palestinian protests or criticized Israel’s military actions in Gaza. The Trump administration claims these individuals show support for Hamas, a group designated as terrorist by the U.S., following its attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. However, many demonstrators assert they are opposing Israel’s military actions instead.
A rarely used statute allows the secretary of state to banish noncitizens if they pose a threat to U.S. foreign policy. Some individuals have been detained or deported, while others have left the country fearing their visas have been revoked. One of the affected individuals is Rumeysa Ozturk, a Turkish student at Tufts University. She was detained by federal officers in Massachusetts, with officials alleging her support for Hamas without providing evidence. Lawyers for Ozturk, who authored an op-ed urging Tufts University to sever ties with Israel, have successfully prevented her immediate deportation to Turkey. The case is still under judicial review.
Another involved individual, Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian activist and student at Columbia, is currently in custody after his green card was revoked. The accusation is that his involvement in protests constituted antisemitic support for Hamas. Born in Syria, Khalil is married to an American citizen, and legal actions are ongoing to secure his release from detention.
Meanwhile, Yunseo Chung, originally from Korea and legally residing in the U.S., has faced DHS’s effort to deport her following her arrest at a protest regarding student expulsions for pro-Palestinian activities. A judge has blocked her detention pending legal procedures.
Badar Khan Suri, an Indian scholar from Georgetown University, faces deportation due to allegations of spreading Hamas propaganda, purportedly based on his social media activity and his wife’s advocacy. Despite holding a valid visa, Suri is currently detained, with legal efforts underway for his release.
Leqaa Kordia, residing in New Jersey, was arrested for overstaying her visa while participating in protests. Authorities cite her as a Palestinian from the West Bank, with no verified student status at Columbia University where she was found. She is detained in Texas.
Ranjani Srinivasan, another student from India, opted to leave the U.S. upon revocation of her visa over unproven claims of advocacy for violence. She denies these accusations and maintains she did not lead protest efforts.
Alireza Doroudi, an Iranian student at the University of Alabama, was detained due to a visa revocation, attributed by authorities to security concerns. His legal representative denies any involvement in political protests, and they are pursuing his release pending further hearings.
Dr. Rasha Alawieh, a Lebanese transplant specialist, was deported despite a federal order to delay her removal. Homeland Security claims she supported a former Hezbollah leader for spiritual reasons. Legal action is being undertaken to bring her back so she can fulfill her role at Brown University.
Momodou Taal, from the UK and Gambia, was forced to leave the U.S. after participating in demonstrations at Cornell University, resulting in his student visa’s revocation. His legal team argues he was exercising his right to free speech. Taal expressed feelings of being unjustly targeted by the authorities.