A federal judge has temporarily blocked the deportation of Rumeysa Ozturk, a Turkish Ph.D. student at Tufts University, following her recent detention by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The Trump administration had moved to deport Ozturk, alleging she is a supporter of Hamas, though no concrete evidence has been publicly presented.
U.S. District Court Judge Denise Casper, appointed by former President Barack Obama, issued the ruling in Massachusetts, preventing immediate deportation while the court determines whether it has jurisdiction over the case.
Arrest Sparks Outcry
Ozturk was taken into custody by plainclothes ICE agents on a Boston street earlier this week, an incident that was captured in a widely shared video. The footage shows her visibly stunned as agents confiscated her phone and placed her in handcuffs. She was subsequently transported to a detention facility in Louisiana.
Allegations and Legal Battle
Federal authorities claim Ozturk is linked to Hamas, but they have yet to present evidence to substantiate this claim. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) cited her involvement in pro-Palestinian activism, including an opinion piece she co-authored in The Tufts Daily that criticized university administrators for their handling of anti-Israel protests. The article also called for the school to sever financial ties with companies linked to Israel.
Additionally, Ozturk appears in a database maintained by Canary Mission, an organization that tracks individuals and groups it claims engage in anti-Israel activism. The group has labeled her as a supporter of the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement.
Broader Legal Implications
Ozturk’s case is part of a broader legal battle involving similar deportation efforts targeting students at other U.S. universities. Federal courts in Virginia and New York are also reviewing cases involving students from Georgetown and Columbia University who have faced deportation proceedings under similar circumstances.
For now, Ozturk remains in legal limbo, as her case continues to unfold in the courts.
