Immigration Court Blocks Deportation of Tufts Graduate Student from Turkey

Rümeysa Öztürk's attorneys say the court found the Department of Homeland Security failed to prove she should be removed from the U.S.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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An immigration court has blocked the deportation of a Turkish Tufts University graduate student who was detained by immigration officials near her Massachusetts home last year. Rümeysa Öztürk's attorneys said the court found the Department of Homeland Security failed to prove she should be removed from the U.S. and terminated her removal proceedings.

Why it matters

This case highlights ongoing tensions around immigration enforcement, particularly targeting foreign-born students and activists, and raises concerns about potential violations of constitutional rights and due process.

The details

Öztürk, a PhD student studying children's relationship to social media, was arrested last March while walking down a street as the Trump administration began targeting foreign-born students and activists involved in pro-Palestinian advocacy. She had co-authored an op-ed criticizing her university's response to Israel and the war in Gaza. Video showed masked agents handcuffing her and putting her into an unmarked vehicle.

  • Öztürk was arrested in March 2025.
  • The immigration court ruled on January 29, 2026 to block her deportation.

The players

Rümeysa Öztürk

A Turkish Tufts University graduate student who was detained by immigration officials near her Massachusetts home last year.

Department of Homeland Security

The government agency that attempted to deport Öztürk, but failed to prove she should be removed from the U.S.

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What they’re saying

“Today, I breathe a sigh of relief knowing that despite the justice system's flaws, my case may give hope to those who have also been wronged by the U.S. government.”

— Rümeysa Öztürk (Statement released by her attorneys)

What’s next

The Department of Homeland Security has the option to appeal the immigration court's decision to the Board of Immigration Appeals.

The takeaway

This case highlights ongoing concerns about potential civil liberties violations and due process issues in immigration enforcement, especially when targeting foreign-born students and activists.