A Cornell University graduate student whose visa was revoked over his participation in pro-Palestine campus protests has decided to leave the United States voluntarily.
Momodou Taal's decision comes after a judge declined to immediately block the government from taking steps to deport him.
“I have lost faith I could walk the streets without being abducted,” 31-year-old Taal said on X, “Weighing up these options, I took the decision to leave on my own terms.”
Taal, a dual citizen of the United Kingdom and The Gambia, according to CNN, faced criticism for comments made online immediately after the Hamas attack on Israel that left more than 1,200 people dead. He tweeted “colonised peoples have the right to resist by any means necessary” and “Glory to the resistance!”
Taal is at least the second international student to opt to leave the US after being targeted for removal by the US Department of Homeland Security. The Trump administration identifies these cases as "self-deportations", BBC reported.
"Given what we have seen across the United States, I have lost faith that a favourable ruling from the courts would guarantee my personal safety and ability to express my beliefs," Taal posted on X on Monday.
"I have lost faith I could walk the streets without being abducted. Weighing up these options. I took the decision to leave on my own terms."
In a November 2023 interview with CNN, Taal brushed off complaints about his statements after the October 7, 2023, attack and said he was tired of constantly being asked to condemn Hamas.
“I think it’s quite racist, Islamophobic that before I’m allowed to have a view on genocide, I have to condemn a terrorist organization,” Taal said. “I can say clearly categorically I abhor the killing of all civilians no matter where they are and who does it,” he added.
At least 300 university students had their student visas revoked due to involvement in pro-Palestinian protests, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said last week.