Momodou Taal, a Cornell graduate student and dual citizen of the UK and The Gambia, has chosen to leave the US voluntarily after his visa was revoked, citing fears for his safety amid the Trump administration's crackdown on international student activism related to the Israel-Gaza conflict.
Student Activism Meets Immigration Crackdown: A Cornell Graduate Departs
Student Activism Meets Immigration Crackdown: A Cornell Graduate Departs
A Cornell University student leaves the US after his visa was revoked in connection with pro-Palestinian protests amid heightened scrutiny on international students.
A Cornell University graduate student, Momodou Taal, has opted to depart the United States following the revocation of his US visa linked to his participation in pro-Palestinian protests during the ongoing Israel-Gaza war. Taal, who holds dual citizenship in the UK and The Gambia, expressed his decision to leave rather than face deportation after a judge denied his request to postpone his removal.
In a statement shared on social media platform X, Taal declared his intention to leave “free and with my head held high.” He cited the lack of trust in the judicial system to safeguard his well-being and freedom of expression, stating, "I have lost faith I could walk the streets without being abducted." This sentiment reflects the fears of many activists facing increasing scrutiny from immigration authorities as part of the administration's stringent policies.
Under the Trump administration, international students have faced intensified scrutiny for their participation in protests, particularly those aimed at expressing solidarity with Palestine. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio revealed that at least 300 international students had their visas revoked due to their involvement in pro-Palestinian demonstrations, a move framed by the administration as aligned with U.S. foreign policy and national security interests.
Critics claim that these actions constitute a violation of free speech. Taal's case is not isolated; similar incidents have led other students, such as Indian scholar Ranjani Srinivasan, to leave the U.S. under threat of deportation, expressing their desire to continue their studies without stigma.
Taal was previously suspended from Cornell during his activism, during which he voiced strong support for the Palestinian cause, stating, “We are in solidarity with the armed resistance in Palestine from the river to the sea.” His departure underscores the chilling effect that immigration policy is having on student activism across U.S. campuses amid ongoing political tensions.
