A Turkish doctoral student at Tufts University facing deportation over her support for Palestinians in the Israel-Gaza conflict has received a temporary stay of deportation from a federal judge in Massachusetts.

Rumeysa Ozturk, who is 30 years old, was detained on Tuesday by U.S. immigration authorities near her home in Massachusetts. U.S. officials also revoked her visa.

In response, U.S. District Court Judge Denise Casper ruled on Friday that Ozturk should not be deported until the court decides on her case. This decision was made after her lawyers filed an updated complaint.

Ozturk was initially taken into custody in broad daylight by federal agents. Her arrest comes a year after she co-authored an opinion piece criticizing Tufts University’s response to calls for divestment from companies with ties to Israel and recognition of the “Palestinian genocide.” Friends report she was not otherwise heavily involved in pro-Palestinian protests.

Following her arrest, a lawsuit was filed to secure her release, and the American Civil Liberties Union later joined her legal defense team, arguing that her detention violates her rights to free speech and due process.

Turkey’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that efforts to secure Ozturk’s release are ongoing, with consular and legal support being provided by Turkish diplomatic missions in the U.S.

U.S. President Donald Trump has stated his intention to deport foreign pro-Palestinian protesters, claiming without evidence that they support Hamas and are anti-Semitic. Yet, many, including some Jewish groups, argue that criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza is being wrongly conflated with anti-Semitism and support for Hamas.

The Trump administration has revoked the visas of several students and protesters, possibly more than 300, amid the ongoing conflict.

Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/3/29/tufts-university-student-cant-be-deported-to-turkiye-without-court-order?traffic_source=rss