Trump's crackdown on pro-Palestinian protests: Who are the international students that faced arrests, deportation

International students in the United States now live in fear that if they have political views that are inimical to America's interests, then they will either be deported or arrested.
Since 2023,

Trump

has repeatedly vowed to revoke visas of international students who participate in pro-Palestinian protests and criticize Israel's war efforts.
Since the Trump administration has launched the crackdown against students who participated in pro-Palestine protests, spread anti-Semitism and pro-Hamas sentiment on campus, a total of 9 people have been arrested. Here are the list:

Rumeysa Ozturk

Turkish doctoral student Rumeysa

Ozturk

, aged 30, was apprehended by federal authorities on Tuesday whilst walking in suburban Boston. A high-ranking Department of Homeland Security official claimed, without presenting evidence, that their investigation revealed Ozturk, who studies at Tufts University, had participated in activities supporting Hamas, a terrorist organisation as designated by the US.

Also Read: Why was Tufts student Rumeysa Ozturk detained by ICE? Here's what we know
Her associates and fellow academics indicated that Ozturk's only known advocacy was co-writing an opinion piece in a university publication requesting Tufts University to address student appeals to sever connections with Israel. She has been transferred to an ICE detention facility in Louisiana. A federal judge has required the government to provide justification for Ozturk's detention by Friday.

Mahmoud Khalil

Immigration officials recently arrested Mahmoud Khalil, a legal US resident and Palestinian activist who was notable in Columbia protests last year. Officials state they cancelled his green card, claiming his involvement in campus demonstrations constituted antisemitic support for Hamas. He is contesting his deportation.
Also Read: Arrested Palestine activist Mahmoud Khalil worked for UNRWA and UK government
Khalil, who was born in Syria but holds legal US residency and is married to an American citizen, acted as a student representative during negotiations with Columbia University administration regarding the dissolution of their campus encampment last spring.

Yunseo Chung

Yunseo Chung, a Columbia student with lawful US residency who immigrated from Korea during childhood, was arrested at a peaceful demonstration this month at Barnard College. The protest opposed the dismissal of students involved in pro-Palestinian activism.
The Department of Homeland Security is pursuing deportation proceedings against Chung, citing "concerning conduct", including her arrest on a misdemeanour charge. A judicial order prevents immigration authorities from detaining Chung whilst her legal proceedings continue.

Badar Khan Suri

Masked Homeland Security agents arrested Badar Khan Suri, an Indian scholar at Georgetown, outside his Virginia residence, alleging distribution of Hamas propaganda.
Legal documents filed by Suri's representative state he was targeted due to his social media activity and his wife's "identity as a Palestinian and her constitutionally protected speech". Suri possesses a valid scholar visa, and his wife holds US citizenship, according to court records.
Government records indicate Suri's transfer to a Louisiana detention centre. His legal team is pursuing his release and attempting to stop deportation procedures.

Leqaa Kordia

A Palestinian from the West Bank, Leqaa Kordia, was apprehended in Newark, New Jersey, for overstaying her student visa. Federal officials confirmed her arrest near Columbia during pro-Palestinian demonstrations. Columbia University has confirmed they have no records of her enrolment.
Currently, Kordia is detained at an immigration facility in Alvarado, Texas, as per government records.

Ranjani Srinivasan

Following immigration agents' search at her university accommodation, Ranjani Srinivasan, an Indian national pursuing her doctorate at Columbia, departed the US. The administration cancelled her visa, citing "advocacy of violence and terrorism". Srinivasan chose to leave voluntarily.
Also Read: Who is Ranjani Srinivasan? Why did the US revoke the Indian scholar's visa?
Officials have not presented evidence supporting their claims about Srinivasan's alleged advocacy of violence. Her legal representatives contest these allegations, and she informed The New York Times that she was not involved in organising Columbia protests.

Alireza Doroudi

ICE detained Iranian national Alireza Doroudi, a doctoral candidate at the University of Alabama, on Tuesday. According to his lawyer David Rozas, Doroudi studied mechanical engineering. Despite his visa revocation in 2023, his legal counsel stated he maintained eligibility to continue his studies whilst meeting entry requirements.
Homeland Security cited "significant national security concerns" regarding Doroudi's visa revocation, without providing additional information.
His lawyer confirmed Doroudi had no involvement in political demonstrations, unlike other ICE-targeted students. Doroudi expressed unawareness of any suspected violations or criminal activities. After his detention in Alabama, authorities will transfer him to Jena, Louisiana.

Dr Rasha Alawieh

Lebanese kidney transplant specialist Dr Rasha Alawieh, previously based in Rhode Island, faced deportation this month, despite a federal judge's stay order pending a hearing. Officials deported her upon US re-entry from Lebanon, despite her valid visa, citing her "open admission" of supporting former Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. Court documents show she followed his religious teachings, not political views.
Brown University had appointed her as assistant professor of medicine. Her lawyer, Stephanie Marzouk, continues efforts for her US return.

Momodou Taal

Cornell University doctoral student Momodou Taal lost his visa following participation in campus protests.
Taal, holding UK and Gambian citizenship, has requested judicial intervention to prevent detention during legal proceedings. Authorities revoked his student visa citing involvement in "disruptive protests".
The 31-year-old Africana studies researcher's legal team emphasises his exercise of free speech rights. Taal has agreed to surrender if courts validate government actions, stating, "I feel like a prisoner already, although all I have done is exercise my rights."