Less than a day after international student and pro-Palestine activist Momodou Taal posted on social media reporting “unidentified” law enforcement outside his residence, the lawyers representing him in a lawsuit against the federal government are attempting to preemptively prevent his arrest and potential deportation.
In court Thursday, a motion for a temporary restraining order was filed following the reported presence of law enforcement at Taal’s place of residence. Additionally, rising fears among supporters that Taal would be arrested resulted in an “emergency rally” outside Day Hall.
These events follow a lawsuit filed by Taal, along with two others, on Sunday. The plaintiffs sued the federal government on Saturday, claiming that the enforcement of two national security-related executive orders passed by President Trump violates their First and Fifth Amendment rights. The lawsuit's three plaintiffs, including Taal, say they now “fear government retaliation” for their critical speech of U.S foreign policy and in support of Palestine, according to the lawsuit.
Taal first reported the presence of law enforcement in a post to X, formerly Twitter, on Wednesday, stating that according to “eyewitnesses,” agents from an “unidentified agency” came to his home in Ithaca.
Lawyers representing Taal and the other plaintiffs submitted a motion for a Temporary Restraining Order on Thursday to prevent the government from “attempting to detain, remove, or otherwise enforce the two executive orders against Mr. Taal,” according to the motion.
“Trump is attempting to detain me to prevent me from having my day in court,” Taal wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “Trump does not want me to present my arguments challenging his actions. This is part of a continued pattern in the Trump administration’s flagrant disregard for the judiciary.”
Two individuals at Taal’s place of residence testified that they saw law enforcement on or around the grounds, according to affidavits submitted alongside the motion for a TRO.
One, a chef at the residence, reported that while taking out the trash he noticed a car in the parking lot that he had never seen before. As the chef’s affidavit states, “I went up to the man and told him, this was private property. The man took out a law enforcement badge. He flashed it so quickly that I didn’t see the name of the agency on it, but it was clear to me he was an officer.”
In a statement to The Sun, Thomas Kelly, chief of Ithaca Police Department, wrote that “IPD has received several inquiries in regards to this type of activity.” However, he confirmed that “we are not aware of any federal law enforcement agencies conducting enforcement activities at this time in the city.”
CUPD did not respond in time for a request for comment.
A third affidavit, submitted by lead counsel Eric Lee, reflected that “It appears the government is attempting to detain Mr. Taal imminently.”
In response to the reports of law enforcement presence, 150 supporters amassed outside of Day Hall to listen to speeches from his attorneys and other Cornell professors.
Christopher Godshall-Bennett, legal director at the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, and co-counsel on the case believed that the recent reports were federal agencies “scoping out” locations that Taal might be at.
“This is a naked attempt at intimidation,” Godshall-Bennett said.
Speaking into a megaphone held aloft by another supporter, Lee shared a comment from Taal, as he is still not allowed on Cornell’s campus.
“I wish I could be with you all in person, but the situation has got to the point where it is no longer safe,” Taal's statement read. “However, your solidarity is a source of my strength.”
Avery Wang ’27 contributed reporting.
Benjamin Leynse is a sophomore in the College of Arts and Sciences. He is a News Editor for the 143rd editorial board, and a former senior writer. He can be reached at bleynse@cornellsun.com.
