A Turkish graduate student at Tufts University has been denied bond and may face deportation after federal authorities revoked her visa over links to pro-Hamas campus activism.
Key Facts: Tufts Student Deportation Case Details
- Rumeysa Ozturk, a 30-year-old Tufts graduate student from Turkey, was detained three weeks ago in Louisiana.
- Her student visa was revoked after she co-authored a pro-Hamas op-ed that “may undermine U.S. foreign policy,” according to a State Department memo.
- An immigration judge denied her bond request, citing her as both a flight risk and a danger to the community.
- The Department of Homeland Security alleges Ozturk supported Hamas, a U.S.-designated terrorist organization.
- Her lawyers are seeking her release and have requested a Vermont judge take jurisdiction of her case for medical and legal access.
The Rest of the Story: Why ICE Is Holding This Tufts Student
Rumeysa Ozturk has been in federal custody in Louisiana for three weeks after her student visa was revoked on national security grounds.
The visa cancellation followed her participation in writing a controversial student op-ed that aligned with a group temporarily banned from Tufts campus for pro-Hamas views.
The only document presented by DHS against Ozturk was a memo stating her visa was revoked due to activities “creating a hostile environment for Jewish students” and expressing support for a designated terrorist organization.
Despite these serious claims, her attorneys say she’s being unfairly targeted and pushed back against the immigration judge’s decision to deny her bond.
Her legal team is trying to move her case to Vermont, arguing that it would allow for better communication, legal access, and medical treatment after she reportedly suffered five asthma attacks in detention.
They claim this is retaliation for her public political speech, not a legitimate national security action.
WATCH 🔴
Marco Rubio on Rumeysa Ozturk, the Turkish student who was detained:
“We revoked her visa. It’s an F-1 visa, I believe. We revoked it, and here’s why—I’ve said it everywhere, and I’ll say it again.
Let me be abundantly clear: If you apply for a student visa to come to… pic.twitter.com/ysnncquYue
— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) March 27, 2025
Commentary: Visa Guests Who Advocate Terror Have No Place Here
Let’s be honest.
Rumeysa Ozturk wasn’t forced to come to the United States.
She asked for the privilege to study here.
But instead of focusing on her education, she chose to publicly support one of the world’s most brutal terrorist groups — Hamas — which is responsible for murdering and kidnapping innocent civilians, including women and children.
The U.S. isn’t required to host people who promote anti-American, anti-Israel propaganda under the guise of academic freedom.
When a foreign national abuses our hospitality by advocating for organizations like Hamas, they forfeit their right to stay.
This isn’t about silencing speech.
It’s about upholding national security and common sense.
Her supporters argue she’s being retaliated against for an opinion piece.
But that “opinion” allegedly aligned with terrorist rhetoric and contributed to a hostile environment on campus.
That crosses a line.
America must draw clear boundaries.
If you want to come here, you must respect our values and our laws.
If you side with bloodthirsty terrorists who torture and murder civilians, you don’t belong here—plain and simple.
We are not obligated to keep individuals who may pose a threat to our citizens, campuses, or allies.
The Biden administration has already faced criticism for being too lax on immigration and campus unrest.
This action by DHS shows at least some willingness to protect national interests.
And let’s not forget: Ozturk isn’t the only one.
Others at elite universities have also lost their visas for similar reasons.
The message is clear—if you want to live in America, don’t promote terror.
The Bottom Line: Why the Tufts Student Deportation Case Matters
The United States has every right to revoke visas from foreign nationals who support terrorist groups.
Rumeysa Ozturk’s case isn’t a free speech issue—it’s a national security one.
The DHS is sending a message: supporting terrorists has consequences, even for student activists.
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