A Scholar's Struggle: Parenting from Behind Bars

Badar Khan Suri, a scholar from Georgetown University, found himself in a tough spot. He was held by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for months. During this time, he had to get creative to stay connected with his three kids. He told his twin sons a story about being lost in the clouds, trying to find his way back home. This story helped them cope with his absence. Being away from his family was hard. Khan Suri said it changed the family dynamic. He wasn't there to provide or protect like he used to. But he also gained a new perspective. He saw the unfairness of his situation and decided to rebuild his life with purpose. Parenting from detention was one of the hardest parts. But it also kept him going. Now that he's out, his kids are happy to have both parents at home. He's back to doing dad duties, like taking them to the bus stop. In fact, he's become the favorite parent in the house. Three months ago, Khan Suri was arrested outside his home in Arlington, Virginia. The Department of Homeland Security accused him of spreading Hamas propaganda and promoting antisemitism on social media. He was never formally charged with a crime. The first week in ICE custody was a nightmare. His wife could only bring back his belongings. His elder son saw his bag come home, but not him. Khan Suri was moved across multiple facilities and three states. He ended up in the Prairieland Detention Center in Alvarado, Texas. During his detention, Khan Suri tried to keep things light for his family. He told his youngest sons the story about the clouds. They would draw pictures for him and save food, as if he might come back at any moment. His oldest child started to understand what was happening. Khan Suri tried to bring humor into their conversations. Life in detention was tough. He wasn't assigned a bed when he first arrived. Instead, he was placed in the TV room, where the television runs all day and night. He also had trouble getting religious accommodations. It took five days for him to get halal food. He was given a bright-red uniform, usually reserved for high-security individuals. Khan Suri kept his children in mind to cope with his circumstances. He would think about their daily routines and what they were doing. Seeing drawings by other detainees' kids made him miss his own children even more. After he was released, the reunion with his children was joyful. They were shouting with joy, hugging and kissing him. For the twins, he had finally come back from the "clouds. "