Overview

• Momodou Taal, a Cornell University student and dual citizen of the U.K. and The Gambia, left the U.S. voluntarily after a federal judge refused to halt his deportation.
• His visa was revoked following allegations of disruptive protest activities and controversial social media posts supporting Palestinian resistance after the October 2023 Hamas attack on Israel.
• Taal challenged two Trump administration executive orders, arguing they unfairly targeted pro-Palestinian activists, but the court ruled against him, citing lack of jurisdiction.
• In a statement, Taal expressed fears for his personal safety and lack of faith in the U.S. judicial system, stating his decision to leave was made on his own terms.
• The case highlights broader concerns about free speech, civil liberties, and the Trump administration's immigration policies targeting foreign students involved in political activism.