US court orders restoration of student visa record for Rumeysa Ozturk, detained after pro-Palestine activism

A federal judge has ordered the US government to reinstate the student visa record of Rumeysa Ozturk, a Tufts University scholar whose visa was revoked and who spent 45 days in immigration detention after publicly criticising Israel’s war on Gaza. The ruling marks a significant pushback against the Trump administration’s clampdown on pro-Palestine student activism.

US District Judge Denise Casper ruled Monday that Ozturk’s name must be restored to SEVIS, the federal database that allows foreign students to study, work and conduct research in the United States. With her record back, Ozturk, a Fulbright scholar from Turkiye pursuing a PhD in childhood development and media, will be able to resume academic work and related employment.

Ozturk described her visa cancellation as “unlawful”, saying it followed an op-ed she co-authored calling for “equal dignity and humanity for all”.

“After eight long months, that record will now finally be restored,” she said. She added that her arrest and detention left her feeling “more connected to everyone whose educational rights are being denied – especially in Gaza”, noting that universities there have been devastated by Israel’s bombardment.

Ozturk was detained on March 25 after ICE revoked her visa under a Trump administration policy targeting students involved in pro-Palestine demonstrations. The government claimed she “engaged in activities in support of Hamas”, an accusation her lawyers and the ACLU say was baseless and politically motivated. Many universities had already begun aggressive policing of Gaza-related protests, including the Columbia encampment that sparked nationwide crackdowns.

The ACLU of Massachusetts, representing Ozturk, welcomed the court’s decision.

“We all benefit when she is able to fully participate in her doctoral program,” said legal director Jessie Rossman, calling the government’s actions “unlawful and unfair”.

While several detained pro-Palestinian students have since been released, immigration cases continue. Former Columbia student Mahmoud Khalil still faces status issues, while Palestinian protester Leqaa Kordia remains in immigration detention months after her arrest.