A Gambian student studying in the United States has been ordered to surrender to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after organizing pro-Palestine protests, despite not violating any laws.
Momodou Taal, a dual citizen of the United Kingdom and The Gambia, received the order shortly after filing a lawsuit to prevent his deportation. A doctoral candidate in Africana Studies at New York University, Taal had recently challenged two executive orders targeting foreign protesters on US campuses.
In his lawsuit, Taal expressed fear of being arrested due to his activism. Following the filing, his legal team received an email from the Justice Department at 1 AM on Friday, instructing him to appear at the Homeland Security Investigations office in Syracuse for formal service of a Notice to Appear and to surrender to ICE custody. The email did not specify a deadline.
Eric Lee, one of Taal’s attorneys, stated that the government has not yet clarified the legal basis for his deportation. Taal has been a prominent figure in organizing pro-Palestine protests, and his social media posts have included controversial statements regarding Israel and the October 7 attacks.
Taal’s lawsuit aimed to preempt his deportation, fearing he had been singled out on social media as a potential target for ICE. As of Friday evening, the government had not officially responded to his legal action, while his attorneys have requested a delay in his surrender pending the case’s outcome.
This development comes as the US government intensifies its crackdown on foreign nationals participating in campus protests, particularly those supporting Palestine.
