"They want to make an example out of me," says Momodou Taal, a U.K. citizen who believes he was singled out for disciplinary action

Cornell is not alone in declining to suspend foreign students after rowdy or disruptive anti-Israel protests. In November 2023, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology amended its threat to suspend students who had protested in Lobby 7, the school’s primary entrance, despite the institution’s policy that protests are not allowed in that zone.

The suspension comes after a demonstration disrupted a career fair on campus last week that featured weapons manufacturers Boeing and L3Harris.

Momodou Taal, who is attending the university with a F-1 visa, was suspended after a September 18 protest under a new policy seeking to quash Gaza solidarity actions.

“Any international student administratively withdrawn by Cornell pursuant to the student code of conduct is urged to immediately review immigration guidelines and consult with experts. Universities can disallow enrollment and bar a student from campus, but do not have deportation powers.”