US Revokes Turkish Student’s Visa Over Alleged Policy Violation
The United States government has revoked the student visa of Turkish national Rumeysa Ozturk, citing alleged activities that exceeded the limitations of her visa status.
Addressing the issue on Friday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that international students must comply with the terms of their visas. "If we grant you a visa for academic purposes and you engage in activities outside that scope, we will take it away," he stated.
Ozturk, a doctoral student at Tufts University, was reportedly detained by federal agents near her off-campus residence in Somerville, Massachusetts, on Tuesday night. The 27-year-old was allegedly en route to break her Ramadan fast when she was taken into custody.
A spokesperson for Homeland Security claimed that Ozturk had participated in activities supporting Hamas, which they argued justified the revocation of her visa. In response, Ozturk has filed a legal petition challenging her detention.
Federal Judge Indira Talwani later issued an order preventing Ozturk from being removed from Massachusetts without prior court notification. However, it remains unclear whether authorities have adhered to this directive.
Tufts University President Sunil Kumar acknowledged the situation, stating that the university had no prior knowledge of the detention and did not assist federal authorities in the matter.
Ozturk had previously engaged in campus activism and co-authored an article in March criticizing Tufts University’s response to Palestinian-related concerns.
The United States government has revoked the student visa of Turkish national Rumeysa Ozturk, citing alleged activities that exceeded the limitations of her visa status.
Addressing the issue on Friday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that international students must comply with the terms of their visas. "If we grant you a visa for academic purposes and you engage in activities outside that scope, we will take it away," he stated.
Ozturk, a doctoral student at Tufts University, was reportedly detained by federal agents near her off-campus residence in Somerville, Massachusetts, on Tuesday night. The 27-year-old was allegedly en route to break her Ramadan fast when she was taken into custody.
A spokesperson for Homeland Security claimed that Ozturk had participated in activities supporting Hamas, which they argued justified the revocation of her visa. In response, Ozturk has filed a legal petition challenging her detention.
Federal Judge Indira Talwani later issued an order preventing Ozturk from being removed from Massachusetts without prior court notification. However, it remains unclear whether authorities have adhered to this directive.
Tufts University President Sunil Kumar acknowledged the situation, stating that the university had no prior knowledge of the detention and did not assist federal authorities in the matter.
Ozturk had previously engaged in campus activism and co-authored an article in March criticizing Tufts University’s response to Palestinian-related concerns.
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