ICE officials ordered a Gambian student at a New York university to turn himself in despite breaking no laws. Momodou Taal, who holds both UK and Gambian citizenship, received this demand right after he asked a judge to stop the government from deporting him. Taal is studying for his doctorate in Africana Studies at New York University and recently filed a lawsuit challenging two executive orders from President Trump that target foreign students who protest on campus.
His legal papers stated he "lives in constant fear" of arrest because of his speech. Around 1 AM Friday, Department of Justice officials emailed his lawyers asking Taal to appear at the Homeland Security office in Syracuse "at a mutually agreeable time" to receive formal paperwork and surrender to custody. The email marked an official step toward possible deportation but didn't specify when he must report.
Attorney Eric Lee wrote Friday that "it remains unclear what removal grounds the government claims exist here." Taal became known for leading pro-Palestine protests, and his social media contains posts calling for Israel's destruction and describing the October 7 attacks as justified because "colonized peoples have the right to resist by any means necessary." He attracted attention with his recent lawsuit that tried to block deportation before it happened, explaining he feared removal because social media posts named him as a possible ICE target.
As Friday evening arrived, government officials hadn't yet responded formally to his legal challenge. His attorneys requested the court delay his surrender until his lawsuit concludes. The Justice Department's actions against Taal follow the Trump administration's promise to punish foreign nationals who organize protests at American universities, especially those supporting Palestine. The administration specifically aims these efforts at organizers of pro-Palestine demonstrations happening across college campuses nationwide.
His legal papers stated he "lives in constant fear" of arrest because of his speech. Around 1 AM Friday, Department of Justice officials emailed his lawyers asking Taal to appear at the Homeland Security office in Syracuse "at a mutually agreeable time" to receive formal paperwork and surrender to custody. The email marked an official step toward possible deportation but didn't specify when he must report.
Attorney Eric Lee wrote Friday that "it remains unclear what removal grounds the government claims exist here." Taal became known for leading pro-Palestine protests, and his social media contains posts calling for Israel's destruction and describing the October 7 attacks as justified because "colonized peoples have the right to resist by any means necessary." He attracted attention with his recent lawsuit that tried to block deportation before it happened, explaining he feared removal because social media posts named him as a possible ICE target.
As Friday evening arrived, government officials hadn't yet responded formally to his legal challenge. His attorneys requested the court delay his surrender until his lawsuit concludes. The Justice Department's actions against Taal follow the Trump administration's promise to punish foreign nationals who organize protests at American universities, especially those supporting Palestine. The administration specifically aims these efforts at organizers of pro-Palestine demonstrations happening across college campuses nationwide.
