Immigration Judge Blocks Deportation of Tufts Student

Rumeysa Ozturk, a Turkish graduate student, was detained by immigration agents after co-writing a pro-Palestinian editorial.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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An immigration judge has ruled that the U.S. government has no legal justification to deport Rumeysa Ozturk, a Turkish graduate student at Tufts University. Ozturk was arrested last year by masked immigration agents after co-writing a pro-Palestinian opinion article for her student newspaper. The judge found that the government's revocation of Ozturk's visa did not automatically require her deportation.

Why it matters

This case highlights concerns over the Trump administration's crackdown on immigration and its potential targeting of students and academics for their political views. The judge's decision affirms the importance of due process and the rule of law in immigration enforcement.

The details

Ozturk was arrested in Somerville, Massachusetts in March 2025 and held in detention in Louisiana for 45 days until a federal judge released her on bail. Documents revealed the government sought to deport her solely because she co-wrote an editorial calling on Tufts to consider pro-Palestinian student resolutions. Shortly after her arrest, Secretary of State Marco Rubio revoked Ozturk's visa, claiming she had participated in a pro-Palestinian movement that 'disrupted' American university campuses.

  • Ozturk was arrested in March 2025.
  • Ozturk was held in detention for 45 days until a federal judge released her on bail.
  • The immigration judge's decision blocking Ozturk's deportation was made last month.

The players

Rumeysa Ozturk

A Turkish graduate student at Tufts University who was detained by immigration agents after co-writing a pro-Palestinian editorial for her student newspaper.

Judge Roopal Patel

An immigration judge who ruled that the government had no legal justification to deport Ozturk.

Marco Rubio

The U.S. Secretary of State who revoked Ozturk's visa, claiming she had participated in a pro-Palestinian movement that 'disrupted' American university campuses.

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What they’re saying

“We hope this decision serves as a reminder that immigration enforcement must always be guided by justice.”

— Mahsa Khanbabai, Lawyer for Rumeysa Ozturk

“Why would any country in the world allow people to come and disrupt? It's a privilege to study in the United States - not a right.”

— Marco Rubio, U.S. Secretary of State

What’s next

The government can appeal the immigration judge's decision blocking Ozturk's deportation to the Board of Immigration Appeals.

The takeaway

This case highlights concerns over the Trump administration's aggressive immigration enforcement tactics, including the potential targeting of students and academics for their political views. The judge's ruling affirms the importance of due process and the rule of law in immigration proceedings.