Photo: Getty Images
A Cornell University student, Momodou Taal, is facing potential deportation after participating in pro-Palestinian protests last year. A hearing regarding Taal's case was held on Tuesday (March 25) in a federal courtroom in Syracuse. Taal, who holds dual citizenship in the United Kingdom and Gambia, has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, challenging executive orders that he claims infringe upon his First and Fifth Amendment rights.
According to Spectrum Local News, Taal's legal team argues that the executive orders target foreign student protesters and violate free speech rights. Taal's attorney, Eric Lee, has requested a national injunction to block these orders, asserting that they are unconstitutional. Despite the legal proceedings, Taal did not attend the hearing due to fears of detainment.
The CNN report reveals that Taal's student visa was revoked a day before he filed the lawsuit, which the Department of Justice claims was due to his disruptive protest activities. Taal's legal team contends that the revocation was retaliatory, as undercover immigration officers have reportedly been seen near his residence.
Taal's case has garnered significant attention, with supporters filling multiple overflow courtrooms during the hearing. The lawsuit seeks to challenge the executive orders titled "Protecting the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats" and "Additional Measures to Combat Anti-Semitism." These orders are alleged to restrict speech based on viewpoint and raise due process concerns, as reported by Peoples Dispatch.
Judge Elizabeth Coombe, who is overseeing the case, has not yet issued a ruling. If Taal's deportation order is approved, he will have the opportunity to appeal. The outcome of this case could set a precedent for how the executive branch handles individuals who speak out against government policies.