Badar Khan Suri: Indian Researcher in US Under Deportation Threat

Badar Khan Suri, a postdoctoral associate at Georgetown University, has been arrested on charges of promoting Hamas propaganda and has been deemed deportable. His research focuses on peacebuilding in Iraq and Afghanistan. Suri’s academic work is being scrutinized in the context of his alleged associations with terrorism.

Badar Khan Suri, a postdoctoral associate of Indian origin at Georgetown University, has been arrested and faces deportation from the United States. He taught a course titled “Majoritarianism and Minority Rights in South Asia.” Georgetown University stated that Mr. Suri obtained a US visa to carry out doctoral research focusing on peacebuilding in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Mr. Suri was apprehended outside his Virginia residence by agents, reportedly wearing masks. Allegations against him include disseminating “Hamas propaganda” and having ties with suspected terrorists. Tricia McLaughlin, Assistant Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, mentioned on X that he was purportedly promoting antisemitism through social media.

McLaughlin’s statement noted, “Suri has close connections to a known or suspected terrorist, who is a senior advisor to Hamas.” It was further stated that a determination by the Secretary of State on March 15, 2025 classified Suri’s activities as grounds for deportation under INA section 237(a)(4)(C)(i).

Dr. Badar Khan Suri serves as a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Alwaleed Bin Talal Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding at Georgetown University. He earned his PhD in Peace and Conflict Studies in 2020 from the Nelson Mandela Center for Peace and Conflict Resolution, Jayima Millia Islamia, New Delhi.

His doctoral thesis examined the challenges of establishing democracy in ethnically diverse societies, particularly in Afghanistan and Iraq. Dr. Suri is recognized as an interdisciplinary scholar with interests in religion, violence and peace, as well as ethnic conflicts in the Middle East and South Asia. His professional profile on Georgetown University’s website has been made private.

Suri’s wife, Mapheze Saleh, is a US citizen from Gaza and is currently a first-year student at the Center for Contemporary Arab Studies at Georgetown University.

In summary, Badar Khan Suri, an Indian-origin postdoctoral associate at Georgetown University, is facing deportation due to allegations of supporting Hamas and antisemitism. His academic work focused on peacebuilding and ethnic conflicts. His arrest raises significant concerns regarding the implications of academic discourse and freedom of expression, particularly concerning politically sensitive topics.

Original Source: www.ndtv.com