Federal Judge Halts Deportation of Turkish Student in Massachusetts

A federal judge in Massachusetts has temporarily halted the deportation of Rumeysa Ozturk, a Turkish doctoral student at Tufts University, pending a ruling on her habeas corpus petition. U.S. District Judge Denise Casper issued the order on March 28, 2025, preventing Ozturk's removal until at least April 1, 2025, to allow time for the court to determine jurisdiction over the case.

Ozturk, 30, is pursuing a PhD in Child Study and Human Development at Tufts University. She previously earned a master's degree from Teachers College at Columbia University. Her research focuses on children's and adolescents' digital media and technologies, aiming to foster caring and compassionate media environments.

On March 25, 2025, Ozturk was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers near her apartment in Somerville, Massachusetts, as she was en route to an Iftar dinner. Surveillance footage shows six plainclothes officers approaching her; one officer grabbed her arm without prior identification, while another confiscated her phone. The officers then restrained her hands behind her back and covered their faces with cloth coverings.

Following her arrest, Ozturk was transferred to the South Louisiana ICE Processing Center in Basile, Louisiana. Her attorney, Mahsa Khanbabai, filed a habeas corpus petition challenging the legality of her detention and requesting that she not be moved out of Massachusetts. Despite a court order issued by Judge Indira Talwani on March 25, 2025, instructing that Ozturk not be moved outside the District of Massachusetts without prior notice, she was relocated to Louisiana without such notification.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) alleges that Ozturk engaged in activities supporting Hamas, leading to the revocation of her F-1 student visa. These allegations are reportedly based on an op-ed she co-authored in March 2024, published in The Tufts Daily, which criticized the university's response to pro-Palestinian movements and called for divestment from companies with ties to Israel.

Ozturk's legal team, including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the Creating Law Enforcement Accountability & Responsibility (CLEAR) clinic, argues that her detention violates her First and Fifth Amendment rights to free speech and due process. They contend that her arrest and visa revocation are punitive measures aimed at silencing her and deterring others from expressing pro-Palestinian viewpoints.

Tufts University President Sunil Kumar stated that the university had no prior knowledge of Ozturk's arrest and did not share any information with federal authorities. He expressed concern over the situation and emphasized the university's commitment to supporting its international students.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that Ozturk's visa had been revoked and indicated that the State Department has revoked over 300 visas as part of the administration's intensified immigration enforcement, particularly targeting individuals on college campuses with pro-Palestinian sentiments.

Ozturk's case is part of a broader pattern of detentions and deportations under the Trump administration targeting individuals affiliated with American universities who have expressed support for pro-Palestinian causes. Other individuals detained include Mahmoud Khalil, a legal U.S. resident and Palestinian activist from Columbia University, and Badar Khan Suri, a Georgetown University scholar. These actions have raised concerns among First Amendment and immigration advocates about potential infringements on free speech and academic freedom.

The outcome of Ozturk's case could set a significant precedent for how similar cases are handled in the future, particularly concerning the rights of foreign students facing deportation due to their political expressions. Legal experts and academic institutions are closely monitoring the situation, emphasizing the importance of upholding constitutional rights and protecting academic freedom.

As of March 30, 2025, Ozturk remains detained at the South Louisiana ICE Processing Center. Judge Casper's order prevents her deportation until at least April 1, 2025, as the court continues to assess jurisdiction over her habeas corpus petition. The government has been given until Tuesday to respond to the amended petition filed by Ozturk's legal team.