Federal Judge Temporarily Halts Deportation of Turkish Student as Legal Challenges Mount

The Trump administration faces growing backlash over its deportation of foreign students linked to pro-Palestinian activism, with lawsuits and protests intensifying.

A federal judge in Massachusetts has temporarily blocked the deportation of Rumeysa Ozturk, a Turkish Ph.D. student at Tufts University, citing concerns over due process and free speech violations.
The Trump administration has revoked over 300 student visas, primarily targeting individuals involved in pro-Palestinian activism, using a rarely invoked clause of the Immigration and Nationality Act.
Critics, including civil rights groups and academic organizations, argue the deportations represent unconstitutional retaliation against political dissent and academic expression.
External groups like Canary Mission and Betar have been accused of aiding federal authorities by identifying pro-Palestinian activists for deportation, raising concerns about private influence on government actions.
Legal challenges, led by organizations such as the Knight First Amendment Institute, aim to halt the administration's actions, which are seen as part of a broader crackdown on free speech and democratic institutions.