"Lost in the Clouds" How a Detained Scholar Parented From Behind Bars

Article Heading: Parenting From Behind Bars: Georgetown Scholar Badar Khan Suri Reflects After ICE Detention

The ordeal of family separation caused by immigration detention is a harsh reality for many. Recently, Dr. Badar Khan Suri, a Georgetown University postdoctoral scholar who faced deportation under the Trump administration, shared his deeply personal experience of parenting his children while in ICE custody. His story, initially reported by NBC News, offers a poignant glimpse into the resilience of the human spirit amidst adversity.

For months, while detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Dr. Khan Suri crafted a narrative for his **5-year-old twins** to help them understand his absence. “For my younger twins, I created a story they could hold on to: I told them I was traveling and had gotten lost somewhere in the clouds, trying to find my way back home,” he explained to NBC News.

This imaginative tale was just one facet of his determined effort to remain a present parent to his three children, even from within the confines of a detention facility. Just over a month after his release from the Prairieland Detention Center in Texas, Dr. Khan Suri is reflecting on the profound impact of family separation on his wife and children.

A Pillar of Strength: The Role of Family

Dr. Khan Suri wholeheartedly credits his wife, Maphaz Ahmad Yousef, for being the bedrock of support for their children during his absence, describing her as a “blessing.” However, he acknowledges the lingering pain of the separation.

“For my family also, I feel the power dynamic changed. I am no more the provider or protector I once was,” he confessed. “But I have survivor’s clarity, as I saw the injustice. I am rebuilding my journey with meaning and truth.”

He emphasized that parenting from detention “was one of the most heartbreaking parts of my experience — but also the one that kept me going.”

Reclaiming Fatherhood

Following a judge’s ruling that his detention violated the First Amendment right to free speech and the Fifth Amendment right to due process, Dr. Khan Suri was released last month. He has since returned to the everyday joys of fatherhood, including accompanying his children to the bus stop and even reclaiming the title of "favorite parent."

“Even the twins say ‘Baba’ when I ask who they love more,” he joked. “Before, it was always a clear ‘Mama.’”

The Arrest and Allegations

The events leading to his detention began three months prior when Dr. Khan Suri was arrested outside his home in Arlington, Virginia. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) accused him of “actively spreading Hamas propaganda and promoting antisemitism on social media,” although he was never formally charged.

A DHS spokesperson claimed that Dr. Khan Suri “has close connections to a known or suspected terrorist, who is a senior advisor to Hamas.”

His attorney, Hassan Ahmad, has consistently refuted these allegations, denying that Dr. Khan Suri ever made pro-Hamas or antisemitic statements. It's worth noting that Dr. Khan Suri’s father-in-law, Ahmed Yousef, was indeed an advisor to a now-deceased Hamas leader but left that position over a decade ago and has since become a critic of the organization.

Life Inside: Maintaining Hope

Dr. Khan Suri described his initial week in ICE custody as a "nightmare." He was moved across multiple facilities before finally arriving at the Prairieland Detention Center in Alvarado, Texas. During his detention, he strove to maintain a sense of normalcy and hope for his family.

Here's how he coped:

• He maintained the "lost in the clouds" story for his younger children during phone calls.
• He painted a positive picture of his living conditions for his older child.
• He focused on his children's daily routines and activities.
• He found solace in seeing drawings by children of other detainees.

According to his habeas petition, Dr. Khan Suri faced challenging conditions, including being initially placed in a "TV room" and delays in receiving religious accommodations. He was also issued a bright-red uniform typically reserved for high-security individuals.

A Joyful Reunion

Upon his release, Dr. Khan Suri’s reunion with his children was filled with overwhelming joy. “In the morning, I woke up before them. When they saw me, all three were shouting with joy, hugging and kissing me,” he recounted. “For the twins, I had finally come back from the ‘clouds.’”

Dr. Khan Suri’s story is a powerful reminder of the human cost of immigration policies and the enduring strength of family bonds. His experience underscores the importance of due process and the need for compassion in navigating complex immigration issues. His dedication to his children, even in the face of immense adversity, is an inspiration to us all. His journey is a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the enduring power of love.

Tags: Immigration, Deportation, Family separation, ICE, Badar Khan Suri, Georgetown University, Trump administration, Children, Parenting, Maphaz Ahmad Yousef, First Amendment, Fifth Amendment, Detention Center, ACLU.

Source: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/ice-detention-badar-khan-suri-parenting-struggles-rcna215588