Judge Bans Deportation Of Doctoral Student From Turkey Arrested For Accused Of Supporting Hamas

JAKARTA - Federal judge in Massachusetts, USA, ordered a temporary ban on deportation of a doctoral student from Turkey at Tufts University. This doctoral program student was arrested by US federal immigration officers after expressing support for Palestinians in Israel's war in Gaza.

Rumeysa Ozturk, a 30-year-old woman, was arrested by US immigration officers near her Massachusetts home, according to a viral video showing the arrests of a federal agent wearing a head covering.

"To allow the Court's ruling on its jurisdiction to decide on the petition, Ozturk will not be deported from the United States until further orders from this Court," the judge said.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) accused Ozturk of involvement in activities supporting Hamas, a group by the US government categorized as a "foreign terrorist organization."

DHS has yet to comment on the decision, which was welcomed by the Turkish student's lawyer.

Ozturk, student of Tufts' doctoral program for Child Study and Human Development, has an F-1 (student) visa.

A year ago, he co-authored an opinion, criticizing Tufts' response to calls to withdraw investment from companies related to Israel and to "recognize Palestinian genocide."

His lawyer said Ozturk's arrest violated the law.

President Donald Trump has promised to deport pro-Palestinian foreign protesters and accuses them of supporting Hamas, being anti-semitic, and causing obstacles to foreign policy.

Protesters, including several Jewish groups, said the Trump administration mixed their criticism of Israeli attacks on Gaza and their advocacy for Palestinian rights with antisemitism and support for Hamas.

Several students and protesters have been revoked for visas by the Trump administration, which said it may have revoked more than 300 visas.