● Covered by 1 source · 1 reportLow impact1 negative
Cornell Threatens to Cut Funding for Pro-Palestine Students Facing Deportation
Key points
- Cornell demands students return to U.S. for teaching or lose funding.
- Students fear detention by ICE due to pro-Palestine activism.
- University previously allowed them to study abroad with funding.
- Funding is the sole financial support for the students.
Cornell Reverses Stance on Student Funding
Cornell University has informed graduate students Momodou Taal and Amandla Thomas-Johnson that they must return to the United States to teach on campus this fall or their funding will be terminated. This directive contradicts an earlier agreement that permitted them to complete their degrees abroad with financial support.
Immigration Concerns for Students
Taal and Thomas-Johnson fled to Cairo after the Trump administration began inquiries into their immigration status in March 2025, following their participation in a pro-Palestine protest. Taal was previously ordered to appear at an ICE office, and both students believe they would likely face detention upon returning to the U.S. Homeland Security Investigations and ICE's intelligence division have launched inquiries concerning both individuals.
Impact on Students' Academic and Financial Stability
The university's funding is the sole source of financial support for Taal and Thomas-Johnson. Losing this funding would severely impact their ability to cover living expenses such as housing, food, and healthcare, potentially jeopardizing their ability to complete their PhDs. Taal noted that Cornell has previously accommodated other students with visa issues by allowing them to continue studies abroad with funding.
University's Response
Cornell University declined to comment specifically on Taal and Thomas-Johnson's cases. However, a spokesperson stated that the idea of the university targeting students for protest activity is "untrue and unfounded." The spokesperson also affirmed Cornell's commitment to assisting international students with visa or travel-related challenges.
✨ This summary was generated by AI from the outlets' reporting listed below. It is not independently verified and may contain errors — check the original sources. How BrevFeed works →
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Reporting from
Cornell University is requiring two graduate students, Momodou Taal and Amandla Thomas-Johnson, to return to the U.S. for on-campus teaching or lose their funding, despite their concerns about potential immigration detention due to past pro-Palestine protest activities. This decision reverses a previous understanding that allowed them to continue their studies abroad with funding, raising questions about the university's support for students facing visa and immigration challenges.