U.S. Judge halts deportation of Turkish student

English , International - بین الاقوامی , Snippets , / Saturday, March 29th, 2025

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rki.news
BOSTON, March 29 – A federal judge in Massachusetts has temporarily blocked the deportation of Rumeysa Ozturk, a Turkish doctoral student at Tufts University, following her detention by U.S. immigration authorities earlier this week.
Ozturk, 30, was arrested near her Massachusetts home on Tuesday by masked federal agents, according to a widely circulated video. U.S. officials revoked her visa, citing undisclosed reasons, sparking concerns about political targeting.
Ozturk had publicly voiced support for Palestinians amid Israel’s war in Gaza, leading supporters to claim her detention was politically motivated. Advocacy groups and students at Tufts have condemned the arrest, calling it a violation of free speech and academic freedom.
Her legal team argues that revoking her visa and detaining her without clear justification raise serious human rights concerns. “This case is about more than just one student; it’s about the right to express political opinions without fear of deportation,” said her attorney.
The judge’s ruling temporarily prevents Ozturk’s removal while legal proceedings continue. Immigration officials have not commented on the case, but legal experts suggest it could influence future treatment of visa holders who express political views.
Supporters have called for her immediate release and reinstatement of her visa. As she awaits further hearings, Ozturk remains in detention, with growing pressure on authorities to justify their actions