Cornell Activist Ordered to Surrender by ICE

Momodou Taal, a Cornell University Ph.D. student and dual citizen of the UK and Gambia on a student visa, has been ordered by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to surrender as part of efforts to deport foreign nationals involved in pro-Palestinian protests. Taal has been active in demonstrations against Israel's actions in Gaza following a Hamas attack in October 2023. This directive from ICE follows President Donald Trump's pledge to deport foreign protestors accused of antisemitism and supporting Hamas. Taal's legal team views this as an attack on free speech and has filed a lawsuit challenging the deportation orders. The situation has sparked criticism from human rights advocates who argue it unfairly targets foreign students engaged in activism. ICE has not commented on the case, while Taal's attorneys are seeking to prevent his detention.