Georgetown scholar Dr. Badar Khan Suri, reunited with his wife and children, releases statement

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – After reuniting with his family on May 14, 2025 following a federal order that he be released from unlawful immigration detention in Texas, Dr. Badar Khan Suri and his wife Maphaz Saleh released the following statements today:

Said Dr. Badar Khan Suri: “The moment I stepped out of the detention center, I inhaled deeply, a breath of freedom I had been deprived of for two, long months. That simple act, something so ordinary, felt extraordinary. As I looked around, my eyes met the faces of those who had stood by me. Their presence was powerful, their support unwavering. In that overwhelming moment, my heart swelled with emotion: I wanted to cry, not out of pain, but out of pure, uncontainable joy. It was a feeling of release, of being embraced by hope and solidarity after weeks of isolation.

“After months of sorrow, loss, and pain, when I saw my kids, it was like an oasis in the desert, and in their arms I found my life again. It was a surreal experience: I forgot every suffering after hugging them. I was able to attain my freedom thanks to the dedicated efforts of my attorneys, and my steadfast faith in the Constitution and the judiciary. I hope very soon Mahmood will be holding his son, and all other students still in detention will reunite with their loved ones.”

Said Maphaz Saleh: “I’m overwhelmed with gratitude to see the smiles back on my children’s faces. They missed their father more than words can express. Now that he’s finally back with them, their joy has returned.

“I wish I could give a heartfelt hug to the honorable judge, the attorneys, and every supporter whose efforts made this moment possible, a moment that should never have been delayed by injustice in the first place.

“And yet, our joy is not complete. We cannot truly celebrate while Mahmoud Khalil remains behind bars, unable to hold his newborn baby or stand beside his wife, who is no doubt carrying an unbearable burden in his absence. No parent should be separated from their children this way. No family should suffer under the weight of fear-driven policies.

“We will not stop speaking out. We will not rest until Mahmoud and every innocent soul behind those walls is free.”

Previews of photos of their reunion at Dulles International Airport on May 14, 2025 are available here. To request high-resolution versions of the photos for media use, please contact press@acluva.org.