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3w ago

Cornell Student Departs U.S. After Losing Visa in Pro-Palestinian Crackdown

Momodou Taal, a British-Gambian doctoral student, voluntarily left the U.S. citing safety concerns and disillusionment with the judiciary after his legal challenge to deportation failed.

A woman walks by a Cornell University sign on the Ivy League school's campus in Ithaca, New York, on Friday, Jan. 14, 2022. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey, File)
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Muslim protestors pray outside the main campus of Columbia University during a demonstration to denounce the immigration arrest of Mahmoud Khalil, a pro-Palestinian activist who helped lead protests against Israel at the university, in New York City, U.S., March 14, 2025. REUTERS/David Dee Delgado/File Photo/File Photo
People hold signs as they participate in a protest in support of Columbia University student activist Mahmoud Khalil while a hearing takes place, outside the court in Newark, New Jersey, on March 28, 2025.

Overview

  • Momodou Taal, a Cornell University doctoral student, left the U.S. after his visa was revoked over participation in pro-Palestinian protests and controversial social media posts.
  • Taal's lawsuit challenging two Trump administration executive orders used to justify his deportation was denied by a federal judge last week.
  • The Trump administration has revoked over 300 visas of foreign students involved in pro-Palestinian activism, citing national security and antisemitism concerns.
  • Rights groups argue the administration is suppressing free speech and conflating criticism of Israel with support for terrorism, raising concerns about constitutional violations.
  • Taal described his departure as a choice made out of fear for his safety and lack of trust in the U.S. legal system to protect his rights.