US immigration arrests Turkish student as Trump escalates crackdown on pro-Palestinian activism
US immigration arrests Turkish student Rumeysa Ozturk, accuses her of supporting Hamas (Illustrative photo: Getty Images)
Turkish doctoral student Rumeysa Ozturk from Tufts University was detained by US immigration officers near Boston while walking to an Iftar dinner - her visa had reportedly been revoked without prior notice, BBC reports.
30-year-old Ozturk was apprehended by plainclothes officers and taken away in an unmarked vehicle. Although a Massachusetts judge had ordered that she remain in the state, she was transferred to a detention center in Louisiana, more than 1,500 miles away.
Tufts University stated it had no prior knowledge of the arrest: "From what we have been told subsequently, the student's visa status has been terminated, and we seek to confirm whether that information is true."
The Department of Homeland Security accused Ozturk of supporting Hamas, a designated terrorist organization. DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin posted on X: "A visa is a privilege, not a right," along with a photo of the arrest. However, authorities have not specified the nature of her alleged involvement, nor have any formal charges been announced.
Growing campaign against international student voices
Ozturk’s case is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to target pro-Palestinian activism on college campuses, following a January executive order aimed at combating antisemitism.
Since then, $400 million in federal funding has been revoked from Columbia University, with threats against other schools as well. The administration is using the Immigration and Nationality Act to deport non-citizens deemed "adversarial" to US foreign policy. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated the law gives broad authority to remove visa and green card holders "for virtually any reason."
Civil rights groups like the ACLU have condemned the actions, warning: "The federal government cannot mandate student expulsions or threaten funding cuts to suppress constitutionally protected speech."
A similar case earlier this year involved the arrest of Palestinian activist and Columbia University graduate Mahmoud Khalil. DHS confirmed Khalil’s arrest, claiming he led Hamas-linked activities. His visa was also revoked.
Following Khalil’s case, many international students now fear deportation for participating in protests or even posting political opinions online.
As the climate worsens, growing numbers of students are reconsidering studying in the US altogether, turning instead to countries with safer and more stable environments.
