### Georgetown Researcher Released After Judge Finds Rights Violations

Badar Khan Suri, a Georgetown University postdoctoral fellow detained in Texas since March, has been released following a federal judge's ruling that his rights were likely violated in the deportation attempt against him. Suri's release from the detention facility came just hours after the judge's decision, and he is expected to return to Virginia, where he lives with his wife and three children.

Suri, who researches minority rights in India, claims he has been unfairly targeted because of his family's vocal support for the Palestinian cause. U.S. officials have invoked an uncommon statute to classify him as a threat to foreign-policy interests, aiming to deport him to his native India.

At a recent hearing in Alexandria, Virginia, U.S. District Judge Patricia Tolliver Giles ordered Suri's release, asserting that his substantial First and Fifth Amendment claims require further consideration. As a condition of his release, Suri must reside in Virginia and attend future court hearings. The exact arrangements for his transport back to Virginia were not immediately made public.

Judge Giles found that statements from Suri and his family supporting Palestinian rights do not constitute incitement or violence and are protected under the First Amendment. "The First Amendment extends to noncitizens, as it makes no distinction between citizens and noncitizens," she emphasized, noting that Suri has not been accused or convicted of any crime.

Suri’s wife, Mapheze Saleh, expressed profound relief and joy at the ruling, calling his detention over his support for the Palestinian people a "badge of honor." Georgetown colleagues also rallied in his defense, vouching for his commitment to peaceful conflict resolution.

The controversy around Suri’s case intensified with the involvement of Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who cited a law permitting the deportation of individuals posing serious foreign policy risks. This same statute has been used recently to detain three other university students for their activism related to the Palestinian cause.

While the Justice Department's arguments emphasize national security concerns, claiming that Suri spreads "Hamas propaganda and promotes antisemitism," advocates argue it is part of a larger crackdown on campus activism. Advocacy groups and supporters continue to challenge the administration's policies, highlighting the alarming implications for free speech and academic freedom.