In a significant move aimed at addressing support for Palestine on U.S. college campuses, over 300 visas have been revoked by U.S. authorities. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has emphasized the importance of maintaining order, noting, “We cannot allow those who engage in vandalizing universities, harassing students, and taking over buildings to reside freely in our country.”
The cancellation of visas includes that of a Turkish student detained in Boston. However, specifics regarding her involvement in any alleged activities remain unclear, as Mr. Rubio did not provide evidence linking Rumeysa Ozturk to such actions.
During a press conference held in Guyana, Mr. Rubio suggested that the State Department may have revoked even more than 300 visas as part of this initiative.
These actions have sparked widespread condemnation as an infringement on free speech, with critics arguing that they threaten the very fabric of open dialogue on campuses. However, the Trump administration contends that certain protests may cross the line into anti-Semitism and pose risks to U.S. foreign policy. “When protests turn hostile, they can become harmful to our national interests,” a senior official stated.
A video capturing Ms. Ozturk’s arrest shows her being taken into custody by masked and plainclothes agents outside her home in Somerville, Massachusetts. This incident occurred as she was reportedly on her way to meet friends to break her Ramadan fast. The Department of Homeland Security’s spokesperson, Tricia McLaughlin, remarked on social media that Ms. Ozturk was “engaged in activities in support of Hamas, a foreign terrorist organization that relishes the killing of Americans,” further reiterating that “a visa is a privilege, not a right.”
Despite being a Fulbright Scholar and a dedicated student in Tufts University’s doctoral program for Child Study and Human Development, the specific nature of Ms. Ozturk’s alleged actions remains unspecified. Notably, her arrest follows a year after she co-authored an opinion piece in the Tufts Daily that criticized the university’s response to calls for divestment from companies with ties to Israel and for acknowledgment of the “Palestinian genocide.”
Mahsa Khanbabai, Ms. Ozturk’s lawyer, stated, “Based on patterns we are witnessing across the country, it seems her exercise of free speech rights significantly contributed to her detention.” Following her arrest, Ms. Khanbabai swiftly filed a lawsuit asserting that Ms. Ozturk’s detention was unlawful, leading U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani to order that ICE provide at least 48 hours’ notice before transferring her out of Massachusetts.
Despite this ruling, reports emerged that Ms. Ozturk had been moved to Louisiana, a development that raised serious concerns. Ms. Khanbabai decried the government’s actions as “baseless,” urging the public to reflect on the disturbing manner in which DHS handled her case, stating, “People should be horrified at how Rumeysa was spirited away in broad daylight.”
In Massachusetts, Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren characterized the arrest as part of a troubling trend aimed at suppressing civil liberties. Following the incident, a sizable protest erupted in Somerville, with demonstrators holding signs that proclaimed, “Resist,” “Defend student voices,” and “Release Rumeysa Ozturk now!”
These incidents form part of a broader initiative by the Trump administration to intensify immigration enforcement, particularly targeting international students. Mr. Trump and Secretary Rubio have made public pledges to deport foreign pro-Palestinian protesters, accusing them of supporting Hamas militants and of being anti-Semitic. However, many protesters, including some Jewish organizations, argue that their criticisms of Israel and advocacy for Palestinian rights are being unjustly equated with anti-Semitism.
In a statement, Tufts President Sunil Kumar noted that the university had no prior knowledge of Ms. Ozturk’s arrest, acknowledging that it would likely cause distress, particularly among international students. The Turkish embassy in Washington has expressed its commitment to providing consular services and legal support to Ms. Ozturk during this challenging time.
Notably, Ms. Ozturk’s detention follows closely on the heels of another controversial arrest—Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University graduate, faced similar charges of supporting Hamas, which he adamantly denies. Federal officials are also pursuing action against other international students, with varying degrees of success.
Dr. Rasha Alawieh, a Lebanese doctor at Brown University, was recently denied re-entry to the U.S. and deported after allegations surfaced regarding her phone containing “sympathetic” images related to Hezbollah, claims she has refuted by stating her respect for its deceased leader due to her religious beliefs.
As these events unfold, it is evident that the scrutiny on pro-Palestinian sentiments within the academic community is intensifying, affecting students at various institutions, including Cornell University, Georgetown University, and the University of Alabama.
“The impact of these policies reverberates through our educational institutions, challenging the freedom of expression that should be upheld in a democratic society,” remarked an academic expert on the issue.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring.
