Washington, D.C., United States: An Indian postdoctoral fellow at Georgetown University, Badar Khan Suri, has reached a legal settlement with the U.S. government allowing him to resume his academic responsibilities and retain lawful immigration status while he challenges deportation proceedings. The agreement, filed in federal court on Tuesday, also extends legal protection to Suri’s two children, ensuring their student status remains intact, according to The New York Times.
Suri, who is engaged in teaching and research at Georgetown, had been accused by U.S. authorities of supporting Hamas—a claim made without accompanying evidence. His immigration records were unexpectedly removed from the Department of Homeland Security’s system in March, placing both his and his children's legal standing in jeopardy. Under the new settlement, the government has committed to preserving those records and providing a minimum 21-day notice before taking any future action based on newly obtained, independent legal grounds. A hearing scheduled for this week has also been cancelled as part of the agreement.
The case has drawn national attention, particularly due to the broader crackdown on pro-Palestinian advocates. Suri was arrested in March alongside other students and scholars despite denying any protest involvement. He was detained across multiple facilities before a Texas judge ordered his release in May. His arrest was reportedly influenced by his online activity and his wife’s family ties—her father previously served as a Hamas political adviser. Suri faces no criminal charges. The situation mirrors similar legal battles involving other international students, such as Mahmoud Khalil, Rumeysa Ozturk, and Mohsen Mahdawi. A federal case in Boston is now challenging what plaintiffs describe as “ideological deportations” of government critics. A verdict in that case, overseen by Judge William G. Young, is expected soon.
