Cornell Student Momodou Taal Self-Deports After Visa Revocation

Momodou Taal, a 31-year-old dual citizen of the UK and Gambia, announced his departure from the United States after his student visa was revoked amid fears of deportation due to his participation in pro-Palestinian protests at Cornell University. Taal, a Ph.D. student in Africana Studies, had previously filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration challenging executive orders that targeted foreign students involved in anti-Israel activities. Despite his legal efforts, a judge denied his request to halt the enforcement of these orders, prompting Taal to express concerns about his safety and ability to voice his beliefs. In a social media post, he stated, “I have lost faith I could walk the streets without being abducted,” emphasizing that his departure was a decision made on his own terms. Taal's situation reflects broader tensions surrounding free speech and immigration policy in the U.S. regarding student activism. His case has sparked discussions about the implications of government actions on the rights of foreign students to express dissent.