Archive · 28 Jun 2025
Scholar's Parenting from Detention After Terrorism Allegations
A professor named Badar Khan Suri was held by immigration officials, accused of supporting Hamas.
He was away from his kids for months.
To help them understand, he told them he was traveling.
The kids missed him and even saved him food.
He faced tough times in detention, like sleeping on the floor and limited recreation.
Eventually, a judge said his detention was wrong, and he was let go.
Back home, his kids were happy to see him, and he could return to being a regular dad.
Georgetown scholar Badar Khan Suri was detained by ICE on terrorism-related charges.
Suri was held in detention for months before being released after a judge ruled his detention violated his rights.
He maintained contact with his children by creating stories of travel and using humor to explain his absence.
Suri faced difficult conditions, including limited recreation time and lack of basic amenities.
After his release, Suri returned to parenting, finding joy in reconnecting with his children.
- Who
- Badar Khan Suri, a Georgetown University scholar, and his children.
- What
- Badar Khan Suri was detained by ICE and had to parent from detention.
- When
- Suri was in detention for months before being released.
- Where
- Suri was detained at an ICE facility in Texas.
- Why
- Suri was arrested on charges of spreading Hamas propaganda and promoting antisemitism.
Arguments for Detention
Arguments Against Detention
Legality of Detention
Arguments for Detention
The Department of Homeland Security alleged that Suri had close connections to a known or suspected terrorist, a senior advisor to Hamas, which justified his detention.
Arguments Against Detention
The judge ruled that the detention violated his right to free speech and due process under the First and Fifth Amendments, therefore it was not justified.
- Detainee
- Badar Khan Suri
- Profession
- Georgetown University postdoctoral scholar
- Reason for detention
- Alleged promotion of Hamas propaganda and antisemitism
- Detention location
- ICE facility in Texas
- Length of detention
- Months
- Ruling
- Judge ruled detention violated First and Fifth Amendment rights
- Children's ages
- 5-year-old twins, 9-year-old elder son