A federal judge in Massachusetts has temporarily stopped the deportation of Rumeysa Ozturk, a Turkish graduate student at Tufts University, after she was suddenly arrested by immigration officers this week.
Who Is Rumeysa Ozturk?
Rumeysa Ozturk, 30, is a PhD student in child study and human development at Tufts University. She also holds a Fulbright scholarship and previously earned a master’s degree from Columbia University.
Ozturk was in the U.S. on a valid F-1 student visa, but her visa was revoked before her arrest.
The Arrest and Controversy
Ozturk was on her way to attend an iftar meal on Tuesday evening during the holy month of Ramadan when she was detained by federal agents in Somerville, Massachusetts.
Her lawyer, Mahsa Khanbabai, said Ozturk was taken away in an unmarked vehicle, and agents did not clearly identify themselves. A video of the arrest went viral, causing public outrage.
Accusations of Targeting Muslim Students
Khanbabai claims that Muslim students are being targeted during Ramadan, especially those who are politically active. She said Ozturk was possibly arrested for co-authoring a 2024 op-ed about Palestine.
Where Is She Now?
Despite a court order that she should not be removed from Massachusetts, Ozturk was transferred to an ICE processing center in Louisiana. Her legal team could not locate her for nearly 24 hours.
This has raised concerns about whether immigration authorities followed legal procedures.
Government Response
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) claims Ozturk had her visa revoked because of alleged support for Hamas, which is a U.S.-designated foreign terrorist organization. In a statement, DHS said:
“A visa is a privilege, not a right. Supporting terrorist groups is grounds for visa termination. This is a security matter.”
Political and Public Reaction
After her arrest:
- Protesters gathered in Somerville to demand her release.
- 28 members of Congress (10 senators and 18 House representatives) signed a letter to federal officials asking why Ozturk and other students are being targeted.
- Lawmakers are calling for full due process, expressing concern over the revocation of 300 student visas in recent weeks, many of them involving students with political views.
The letter questions whether freedom of speech is being respected and whether the government is unfairly targeting international students.
What’s Next?
U.S. District Judge Denise Casper has blocked the deportation for now while she reviews whether the court has authority over the case. Ozturk’s legal team is pushing for her immediate release so she can return to Boston and continue her education.