Momodou Taal leaves the US voluntarily after losing his visa amid a crackdown on international students involved in pro-Palestinian protests, marking a controversial stance on free speech by the Trump administration.
Cornell Student Leaves US Following Visa Revocation Linked to Protests
Cornell Student Leaves US Following Visa Revocation Linked to Protests
A graduate student at Cornell University opts for self-deportation after his visa was revoked due to anti-Israel protest activities.
Cornell University graduate student Momodou Taal has made the decision to leave the United States, following the revocation of his student visa connected to his protest activities against Israel amidst the ongoing conflict with Gaza. A dual citizen of the UK and The Gambia, Taal chose to leave rather than face deportation after a judge denied his request to postpone the removal.
Posting on social media platform X, Taal expressed his intention to depart the country "free and with my head held high." This comes as reports indicate he is one of at least two international students targeted for their involvement in protests against Israel, a crackdown that has intensified under the Trump administration.
The administration has stated that it views participation in such protests as adversarial to US national security and foreign policy interests, which has led to a significant number of visa revocations. Secretary of State Marco Rubio noted that around 300 international students have faced similar actions as a result of their activities. Taal, who had faced multiple suspensions from Cornell, has consistently voiced his solidarity with pro-Palestinian sentiments, famously declaring on social media, "Glory to the Resistance."
Taal's decision to leave reflects a broader climate of fear among international students who feel their ability to express dissenting opinions is under threat. He mentioned a loss of faith in the judicial system's capacity to protect him, emphasizing the risk of being "abducted" for his beliefs.
The deportations have drawn criticism from free speech advocates, who argue that such actions violate fundamental rights. In a parallel situation, Indian scholar Ranjani Srinivasan spoke out after leaving the US, asserting her innocence in the face of accusations against student protestors and her wish to return to complete her education at Columbia University, a focal point of past demonstrations.
The ongoing crackdown on student activists raises significant questions about freedom of expression and the rights of foreign nationals in the US during politically charged climates.
