Overview
- Momodou Taal, a Cornell University PhD student, left the U.S. after his visa was revoked for participating in pro-Palestinian protests and making controversial social media posts.
- A federal judge denied Taal's request to halt his deportation or block enforcement of Trump administration executive orders targeting foreign activists.
- Taal cited fears for his safety and inability to freely express his beliefs as reasons for voluntarily leaving the country.
- His departure highlights the Trump administration's broader crackdown on pro-Palestinian campus activism, which has resulted in over 300 student visa revocations.
- Taal's case has reignited discussions over the balance between national security measures and constitutional protections for free speech and academic freedom.