A British-Gambian Ph.D. student at Cornell University who had faced possible deportation after participating in pro-Palestinian protests has announced that he has left the United States. Momodou Taal, who had been suspended by the university multiple times for his involvement in what the university deemed as disruptive protests, is among a group of international students targeted by the Trump administration for activities labeled as antisemitic.
Taal, who had not been detained unlike some of his peers, had taken legal action to challenge the deportation proceedings against him. In a statement shared on social media platform X, Taal revealed that he made the decision to depart the United States voluntarily after federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials visited his residence and revoked his visa. The Department of Homeland Security was contacted for comment regarding the situation.
Expressing his concerns for personal safety and freedom of expression, Taal explained in his statement that he no longer believed that a favorable court ruling would ensure his well-being. He emphasized the ongoing risks faced by individuals like himself and reiterated his solidarity with the Palestinian cause.
Known for his leadership role in organizing a tent protest at Cornell University, where students called for divestment from companies allegedly supporting Israel’s military actions in Gaza, Taal made headlines with his public support for the Palestinian resistance. Following his return to office, President Trump signed an executive order targeting individuals engaged in what was described as unlawful antisemitic behavior, leading to increased scrutiny on activists like Taal.
The Trump administration’s stance on deportation as a response to alleged visa violations has sparked criticism from civil rights advocates who view it as a severe infringement on free speech rights. The Department of Homeland Security defended its actions, stating that advocating for violence and terrorism could result in the revocation of visa privileges.
As a dual citizen of Britain and The Gambia, Taal was pursuing a Ph.D. in Africana studies in the United States on a student visa. His departure from the country marks a significant chapter in the ongoing debate surrounding academic freedom and international student rights in the current political climate.
