Pro-Palestinian British Cornell student says he will leave US citing fear of detention

Momodou Taal, who had been asked to surrender by immigration officials, says he has lost faith' that favourable court ruling would protect him

A Cornell University student who participated in pro-Palestinian protests and was asked to surrender by United States immigration officials has said he is leaving the US, citing fear of detention and threats to his personal safety.

Momodou Taal, a doctoral candidate in Africana studies and dual citizen of the UK and the Gambia, has participated in pro-Palestinian protests against Israel's war in Gaza after the October 2023 Hamas attack. His attorneys said last month that he was asked to turn himself in and that his student visa was being revoked.