A Cornell University student has opted to leave the United States following the revocation of his visa, which was linked to his activism on campus. Momodou Taal, a dual citizen of the United Kingdom and Gambia, had sought legal intervention to prevent his deportation. However, on Monday, he shared on X that he was not confident a favorable legal outcome would secure his safety or freedom of expression.
“Fearing abduction while walking the streets, I determined it was best to leave on my terms,” Taal expressed from an undisclosed location. The government justified their decision to revoke his student visa due to his participation in “disruptive protests,” alongside violations of university policies and fostering a hostile environment for Jewish students.
Under the Trump administration, efforts have been made to deport noncitizens involved in campus protests perceived as antisemitic and supportive of the militant group Hamas. Many students, however, view these actions as a crackdown on those advocating for Palestinian rights.
Taal, aged 31 and a doctoral candidate studying Africana at the prestigious Ivy League institution in Ithaca, New York, faced suspension the previous autumn after a pro-Palestinian protest at a campus career event. Despite these challenges, he had continued his academic work remotely this semester.
In response to these events, Taal initiated a federal lawsuit against the Trump administration, asserting his right to free speech. Nonetheless, this legal action was retracted on Monday. He did not disclose his current location or future plans in his social media update, nor did he respond to inquiries via text for further comments.
Taal reflected on his motivations in his post, stating, “My actions have always aimed to affirm the humanity of the Palestinian people, a struggle that has deeply impacted me.” His lawyer, Eric Lee, also did not provide immediate responses to communication attempts but shared on X: “What is America if individuals like Momodou are not welcome?”