AhlulBayt News Agency: A federal court has ordered the release of Dr. Badar Khan Suri, a Georgetown-affiliated scholar, marking a significant legal setback for the Trump administration in its broader crackdown on pro-Palestinian activism.
Dr. Khan Suri had been detained for eight weeks following his arrest by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. Civil rights attorneys argue that his detention was a retaliatory measure against his constitutionally protected speech and personal associations.
The court’s decision allows Dr. Khan Suri to return from Texas to Virginia, where he resides with his wife and three children. His legal challenge against the constitutionality of his detention remains ongoing.
‘Speaking Out Is Not a Crime’
Following the ruling, his wife, Mapheze Saleh, expressed her relief and emphasized the importance of free speech.
“Speaking out about what’s happening in Palestine is not a crime,” she said, visibly emotional after the judge’s decision.
She added, “Let’s show the world that this country is still a place where people can and do express their beliefs without fear.”
Dr. Khan Suri, an Indian national and lawful visa holder, is married to a Palestinian-American US citizen.
Prior to his arrest, the couple was targeted online by blacklisting sites such as Canary Mission and CAMERA. On March 17, federal agents detained him outside his Virginia home and secretly transported him more than 1,500 miles away from his family and legal counsel.
Within four days, he was moved through five ICE facilities across three states, ultimately arriving at a Texas detention center.
Harsh Detention Conditions
At the detention center, Dr. Khan Suri was placed in a cell with no bed and subjected to nearly constant noise from a television.
Despite observing Ramadan, he was denied basic accommodations such as water and food for breaking his fast. He was also issued a red “high-risk” uniform, typically reserved for individuals considered severe security threats.
Legal and Constitutional Stakes
Eden Heilman, legal director at the ACLU of Virginia, described the arrest as “part of an extreme and unprecedented attack by this administration designed to punish students and academics for their views.”
“The Constitution protects us all—regardless of citizenship—from being targeted for political speech and family associations,” Heilman stated.
Last week, a federal judge refused the Trump administration’s motion to dismiss Dr. Khan Suri’s habeas corpus case or move it to Texas, thereby preserving jurisdiction in Virginia.
Pattern of Retaliatory Detentions
Dr. Khan Suri’s case reflects a broader pattern of detentions targeting pro-Palestinian activists.
Over the past two weeks, federal judges have also ordered the release of Mohsen Mahdawi, a student at Columbia University, and Rümeysa Öztürk, a PhD candidate at Tufts University. Both were arrested after criticizing US support for Israeli actions in Gaza, according to their legal teams.
Astha Sharma Pokharel, an attorney at the Center for Constitutional Rights, called the ruling a “clear message” to federal authorities.
“You cannot arrest someone, rip them away from their family, and incarcerate them just for standing in solidarity with Palestinians and against the genocide in Gaza,” she said.
Constitutional Claims and Legal Representation
Dr. Khan Suri is challenging his arrest under the First Amendment, the Due Process Clause of the Fifth Amendment, and the Administrative Procedure Act.
While his federal lawsuit proceeds in Virginia, a separate immigration case seeking his deportation remains active in Texas, with a hearing scheduled for June 3.
He is represented by a coalition of legal organizations, including the ACLU of Virginia, the Center for Constitutional Rights, the HMA Law Firm, and the Immigrants and Non-Citizens Rights Clinic at CUNY School of Law.
The case has emerged amid growing concerns over the Trump administration’s use of immigration enforcement as a tool for political suppression.
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