A Cornell University student at the center of a high-profile deportation case has reportedly fled the United States, just days before Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was scheduled to take him into custody.
The individual, a noncitizen enrolled at the Ivy League university, had been under federal scrutiny following his involvement in a series of campus protests denouncing U.S. support for Israel. According to federal officials, his actions triggered a review of his immigration status, ultimately leading to a deportation order on the grounds of violating visa conditions and allegedly inciting unrest.
ICE officials confirmed that they had initiated proceedings to detain the student, but when agents arrived at his last known location, he had already left the country. Travel logs indicate he departed through a northern border crossing into Canada before catching an international flight. Authorities have not disclosed his final destination.
The student’s sudden departure comes amid growing tensions between federal immigration authorities and university campuses over how to handle international students involved in politically charged activism. While his legal team argues that the deportation proceedings were politically motivated, federal agencies maintain that his case was rooted in violations of visa restrictions and national security concerns.
Cornell University issued a brief statement acknowledging the student’s withdrawal and departure, while affirming its commitment to student safety and the protection of free speech within the bounds of university policy and federal law.
The incident has drawn national attention and sparked debate over the line between protest rights and immigration enforcement. Advocacy groups have condemned what they describe as a chilling effect on foreign students who speak out on controversial issues, while supporters of the deportation argue that noncitizens must abide by the legal terms of their residency or study.
Officials say the case remains open, and the individual could still face consequences if he attempts to reenter the United States in the future.