Nader Hashemi, a professor at Georgetown University specializing in Middle East and Islamic politics, has been an outspoken critic of attempts to suppress pro-Palestine activists and scholars during Israel’s conflict in Gaza. The crackdown intensified under President Donald Trump’s administration, which recently detained and sought to deport Columbia University student Mahmoud Khalil, a permanent resident married to a US citizen. Immigration authorities then targeted one of Hashemi’s own students, Badar Khan Suri, a postdoctoral fellow at Georgetown’s Prince Alwaleed bin Talal Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding.
Hashemi expressed shock and concern over the expansion of authoritarian repression in American universities under the Trump administration. Civil liberties groups have condemned Khalil’s deportation efforts, which Hashemi and others view as part of the US government’s anti-Palestinian bias. The targeting of Suri, who was detained for alleged personal views rather than public protests, has raised further alarm among Hashemi and his colleagues.
Khaled Elgindy, a visiting scholar at Georgetown focusing on Palestinian-Israel affairs, noted that the Trump administration’s enforcement actions are entering uncharted territory, extending beyond student visa holders and US residents involved in protest activities. Suri’s deportation was approved by Secretary of State Marco Rubio under a provision of the 1952 Immigration and Nationality Act, citing “adverse foreign policy consequences.”
The Department of Homeland Security accused Suri of spreading Hamas propaganda and promoting antisemitism on social media, as well as having connections to a senior Hamas adviser. Suri’s family and supporters have vehemently denied these allegations, with his legal team seeking his release from detention in Louisiana.
Georgetown University and the Alwaleed Center have rallied behind Suri, defending his right to free speech and academic freedom. Critics have pointed to the targeting of Suri and his wife by Campus Watch, a project known for scrutinizing Middle East studies in North American universities, as an attempt to stifle criticism of Israel. Hashemi described Suri as a respected academic and noted the stark differences between Suri and Khalil in terms of their roles in activism. Dia hanyalah seorang peneliti dan sesama pascadoktoral di pusat kami,” kata Hashemi, “yang hanya bekerja pada tema-tema hak minoritas, majoritarianisme, dan masalah otoritarianisme.”
Elgindy, sementara itu, mengatakan pemerintahan Trump terus merangkul “persamaan yang berbahaya” ketika membicarakan hak Palestina dan perlawanan yang kompleks.
“Benar-benar setiap ekspresi solidaritas dengan Palestina atau kritik terhadap Israel dianggap sebagai anti-Semit dan secara inheren mendukung terorisme dan Hamas,” katanya.
Elgindy menggambarkan “atmosfer ketakutan yang nyata” ketika membahas debat akademis terbuka tentang realitas kompleks yang menentukan konflik Israel-Palestina.
“Benar-benar menuju ke inti kebebasan akademis – jika orang harus menyensor diri, jika mahasiswa takut untuk mengajukan pertanyaan tertentu atau mengangkat poin tertentu karena mungkin ada yang merekam di kelas dan akan berbagi dengan beberapa kelompok ekstrem yang telah melakukan doxxing terhadap mahasiswa,” katanya.
“Niatnya adalah untuk meredam debat dan membuat orang ragu-ragu apakah mereka seharusnya mengungkapkan pandangan tertentu sama sekali.”
Seorang hakim federal pada Kamis melarang pemerintahan Trump untuk segera mendeporth Suri. Para pengacaranya mengatakan kepada kantor berita Reuters bahwa dia sedang menunggu tanggal dengar di pengadilan imigrasi.
Keduanya Hashemi dan Elgindy, sementara itu, menunjukkan perlunya komunitas akademis untuk mengambil sikap tegas terhadap tindakan Trump, sambil mengakui lanskap sulit yang dihadapi pendidik dan administrator.
Di luar risiko bagi profesor dengan visa kerja sementara, Trump juga telah berjanji untuk memotong dana federal untuk institusi yang tidak mengambil langkah-langkah yang cukup keras terhadap para demonstran dan “provokator”.
Pemerintahannya telah memotong $400 juta dalam hibah dan kontrak untuk Universitas Columbia.
“Saya pikir yang terburuk masih akan datang,” kata Hashemi. “Kecuali orang-orang berdiri dan melawan.”