Over 130 Jewish members of the Georgetown University community have released a powerful statement condemning the Trump administration’s actions against Badar Khan Suri, a Muslim postdoctoral scholar and professor. Suri was arrested and targeted for deportation last month, prompting outrage from the Jewish community who see the move as a dangerous misuse of power.
The statement directly accuses the Trump administration of ‘weaponizing’ Jewish identity and fears of antisemitism to justify Suri’s arrest and the targeting of other Muslim students and scholars. The group highlights the administration’s revocation of visas for international students involved in political protests, further emphasizing the broader implications of these actions.
Signatories, including faculty, staff, students, and alumni, emphasize that while opinions on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict may vary, they are united in their opposition to the politically motivated deportation efforts. They view these actions as authoritarian and detrimental to the entire campus community, urging both Jews and non-Jews to speak out against this injustice.
The White House responded to the statement by dismissing the group as “radical activists,” a comment that further inflamed tensions. The Department of Homeland Security also issued a statement downplaying the impact of their actions on the broader student body. However, the Jewish community’s statement remains unwavering in its condemnation, demanding Suri’s immediate release and highlighting similar cases involving other unjustly detained scholars at universities across the country.
The statement also calls for prominent Jewish organizations, such as the Anti-Defamation League and Hillel International, to publicly denounce the administration’s actions. The group further implores Georgetown University to protect its students’ right to free speech and for elected officials to actively challenge these deportations and attacks on universities. They express deep concern about the escalating authoritarian trend and urge widespread action to counter these measures.
Suri’s arrest, which occurred outside his apartment building, followed accusations from the Department of Homeland Security alleging the spreading of Hamas propaganda and antisemitic content on social media. His attorney vehemently denies these claims, characterizing the detention as “contemptible.” Suri’s supervisor corroborates the attorney’s statements, painting a picture of a humble scholar with limited political engagement. The incident underscores the serious concerns raised by the Jewish community about the Trump administration’s actions and their implications for academic freedom and civil liberties.
