On March 9, Rumeysa Ozturk, a Turkish graduate student at Tufts University, reached out to Najiba Akbar, the university’s former Muslim chaplain, expressing concern over her information being posted on a doxxing website called Canary Mission. The site accused her of "engaging in anti-Israel activism" and linked to an opinion piece she co-authored criticizing the university's stance on Israel amid the Gaza conflict.
Ms. Ozturk, described by Ms. Akbar as an introverted individual who preferred to assist rather than lead, was reportedly shocked when her visa was revoked following investigations by the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Officials claimed she supported Hamas, a designation that her friends and professors disputed, stating that she was not an activist and had not participated in any banned groups.
The situation reflects a broader trend of international students facing deportation under the current administration's efforts to combat antisemitism on campuses. The American Civil Liberties Union has intervened, filing a complaint in federal court arguing that her detention violates her First Amendment rights. A federal judge has ruled that Ms. Ozturk cannot be deported until further court decisions are made.
Despite not being charged with any crime, Ms. Ozturk's friends are perplexed by the government's portrayal of her as a political activist. They emphasize her law-abiding nature and lack of any antisemitic behavior. A video of her arrest, which shows federal agents detaining her while she was on the phone with her mother, has sparked significant outrage on social media.
Ms. Ozturk's academic background includes a focus on child development, and her friends suggest her motivations for writing the opinion piece stemmed from her concern for children's welfare. The essay criticized the university's response to allegations against Israel, including accusations of violence against Palestinian civilians.
Ms. Akbar noted that Ms. Ozturk had plans to organize an event addressing the impact of violence on children, indicating her desire to promote awareness and support for affected populations. The incident has raised concerns among international students regarding the potential risks of participating in academic discourse in the United States.