ITHACA, N.Y. — Cornell University has suspended international graduate student Momodou Taal following his participation in a pro-Palestinian demonstration on September 18. Taal, originally from the United Kingdom, has been informed that his F-1 student visa has been canceled, which could lead to his deportation.
On September 18, Taal was among over 100 demonstrators who breached a police blockade to enter the Statler Hotel on Cornell’s campus. The protest aimed to disrupt a career fair and called for the university to sever ties with corporations like Boeing and L3Harris, which provide weapons used by Israel in the Gaza Strip conflict.
In an interview with The Ithaca Voice on Tuesday, Taal revealed that he had not been given a specific deadline to leave the U.S., but the university’s immigration office advised him to depart “promptly.” He is currently working with multiple immigration lawyers to halt the process until an investigation is conducted.
It remains unclear how many other students have faced academic suspension due to their involvement in the protest. However, protest organizers have not reported any additional suspensions.
“I believe this is a diversion,” Taal said. “They’re targeting individuals they perceive as vulnerable. This level of repression is a reaction to our focus on the Gaza genocide.”
Joel Malina, Vice President for University Relations at Cornell, issued a statement clarifying that international students on F-1 visas must adhere to federal regulations, including maintaining full-time enrollment. “Universities are obligated to terminate F-1 status for students not enrolled due to disciplinary actions,” Malina explained. He added that universities do not have the authority to deport students but can deny enrollment and access to campus.
Taal, a leader in the protest, addressed the crowd outside Day Hall before the group moved to disrupt the career fair. The day after the protest, Taal received notification from Cornell University Police Chief Anthony Bellamy that his case had been referred to the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards.
The conduct office informed Taal of his suspension via email on Monday, but the email did not mention the impact on his F-1 visa status. Taal later learned from Senior Immigration Advisor Hersh Sisodia that his visa would be affected by the suspension. Sisodia’s email stated that Taal’s F-1 visa record must be closed and there is no grace period for leaving the U.S. Taal should either exit immediately or consult an immigration lawyer to adjust his visa status.
Taal has been active with the Coalition for Mutual Liberation (CML) since the onset of the Gaza conflict on October 7, 2023. In April, he was among students suspended for participating in a pro-Palestinian encampment organized by CML on Cornell’s Arts Quad.
Support for Taal has been strong, with over 1,000 people signing a petition demanding his reinstatement within hours of its creation. CML has announced a rally on September 25 outside Day Hall to advocate for Taal’s return to the university.
The Cornell Graduate Workers’ Union (CGSU-UE), where Taal works, is also calling for his reinstatement and has requested to negotiate the effects of his suspension.
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