A graduate student from Cornell University had his US visa revoked for participating in protests against Israel and has decided to leave the country rather than facing deportation. Momodou Taal, who holds dual citizenship in the UK and The Gambia, faced the consequences of his on-campus protest activities during the Israel-Gaza conflict last year.
Despite previously attempting to block his deportation through legal means, Mr. Taal announced on X that he had opted to depart the US voluntarily. This decision came after a judge denied his request to postpone his deportation, leading to his choice to leave the country “free and with my head held high”. The current Trump administration has been cracking down on international students involved in protests against Israel on college campuses.
Mr. Taal is one of the latest examples of international students choosing to self-deport from the US after being targeted for removal by the Department of Homeland Security. In a statement posted on X, he expressed concerns about his personal safety and freedom to express his beliefs if he were to remain in the US. He described feelings of unease and distrust in the overall situation, leading him to make the decision to leave on his own terms.
Having been suspended twice by Cornell University for his protest activities, Mr. Taal made statements in support of the armed resistance in Palestine during a gathering of protesters. This stance ultimately led to the revocation of his student visa. The Trump administration has tightened its policies on international students who engage in activities deemed contrary to US foreign policy and national security interests, portraying such deportations as necessary measures in combating antisemitism. Critics, however, argue that these actions infringe upon individuals’ rights to free speech
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