Archive · 5 Dec 2025
Judge Questions ICE's Handling of Pro-Palestinian Student's Case
A judge in Boston is confused about why the U.S. government is making it hard for a student named Rumeysa Ozturk to continue her studies.
Rumeysa is a PhD student at Tufts University who wrote an article criticizing her school's stance on Israel and Palestine.
Because of this article, the government took away her student visa and removed her from a important student database.
This means she can't work or teach at her university.
Rumeysa was even detained for 45 days.
Her lawyers say the government is punishing her for her opinions, which is not allowed.
The judge is trying to figure out if the government's actions are fair.
A federal judge questioned the Trump administration's decision to terminate Rumeysa Ozturk's SEVIS record, preventing her from working on campus.
Ozturk's SEVIS record was terminated on March 25, the same day she was arrested for an opinion piece criticizing Tufts' response to Israel's war in Gaza.
Ozturk was detained for 45 days until a federal judge ordered her release, citing potential First Amendment violations.
The administration's refusal to restore Ozturk's SEVIS record has jeopardized her academic and career development.
Ozturk's attorney argued that the administration's actions were retaliatory and inconsistent with its treatment of other foreign students.
- Who
- Rumeysa Ozturk, a Tufts University PhD student and pro-Palestinian activist
- What
- A federal judge questioned the Trump administration's decision to terminate Ozturk's SEVIS record and prevent her from working on campus
- When
- The hearing took place on December 4, with the SEVIS record terminated on March 25
- Where
- The hearing was held in Boston, Massachusetts
- Why
- The administration cited an opinion piece Ozturk co-wrote criticizing Tufts' response to Israel's war in Gaza as the basis for revoking her student visa and terminating her SEVIS record
- Student's Name
- Rumeysa Ozturk
- University
- Tufts University
- Agency Involved
- U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
- Database Affected
- Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS)
- Date of SEVIS Termination
- March 25
- Duration of Detention
- 45 days
- Legal Representation
- American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts