Judge Rules Tufts Student Rumeysa Ozturk Cannot Be Deported

An immigration judge has ruled that there are no grounds to deport Rumeysa Ozturk, a Turkish graduate student at Tufts University. This decision, delivered by Judge Roopal Patel, was made public by Ozturk’s legal team in federal court recently.

Background of the Case

Rumeysa Ozturk was arrested in March 2025 by masked agents, marking an early instance of the Trump administration’s strict immigration policies. The judge’s ruling means that the government lacks legal justification for her deportation and halted further proceedings against her.

Legal Ramifications

• Judge Patel’s ruling represents a significant victory for Ozturk, who expressed relief at the decision.
• Ozturk’s attorney, Mahsa Khanbabai, described the ruling as a “powerful affirmation of fairness and the rule of law.”
• The government retains the option to appeal this decision to the Board of Immigration Appeals.

Previous Context and Arrest

Ozturk was one of several international students arrested in connection with the pro-Palestinian movement. Following her arrest, she spent 45 days in detention in Louisiana before a federal judge released her on bail.

Specific Charges and Visa Revocation

The government sought to deport Ozturk primarily because she co-authored an editorial advocating for pro-Palestinian resolutions at Tufts. In a related move, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the revocation of her F-1 student visa, claiming her advocacy disrupted American universities.

Judge’s Findings

Judge Patel concluded that the revocation of Ozturk’s visa did not necessitate her removal from the country. The ruling emphasized that her legal status does not solely depend on her visa.

Broader Implications

This case is part of broader legal challenges faced by international students. Other students, including Mahmoud Khalil and Mohsen Mahdawi, are engaged in similar appeals that could influence immigration law significantly.

• A New Jersey federal appeals court recently ruled against Khalil, leading to concerns about future deportations.
• Ozturk is currently pursuing a similar case in a New York appeals court.

Ozturk’s situation reflects ongoing debates regarding the limitations of immigration enforcement, particularly concerning free speech rights. Her legal team argues that such deportation efforts could set a dangerous precedent in targeting noncitizens based on their speech.

The case continues to evolve, highlighting the complex intersections of immigration policy, free expression, and the rights of international students in the United States.