Lawmakers Demand Records in Controversial Arrest of Georgetown Scholar Held by ICE

Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA) is leading a congressional delegation on the paper chase to find out the truth behind the apprehension and detainment of Georgetown postdoctoral fellow Dr. Badar Khan Suri.

WASHINGTON — A group of 22 Democratic lawmakers is demanding answers from the Trump administration over the arrest and detention of Georgetown University postdoctoral fellow Dr. Badar Khan Suri, who was taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in March under a rarely used immigration provision tied to foreign policy interests.

In a letter sent Monday to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, the lawmakers — led by Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.) — requested a broad set of documents and records related to Suri’s arrest, including justification for his detention, supporting evidence of alleged ties to terrorism, and any role played by outside groups in his apprehension.

“Dr. Khan Suri is a scholar on conflict resolution who has no criminal record, and the Administration has made no credible argument to support his arrest and detention,” the lawmakers wrote. “His arrest and detention appear to violate Dr. Khan Suri’s constitutional right…