Rumeysa Ozturk, a bright doctoral graduate, has decided to leave the U.S. and return to Turkey. Her choice comes after facing significant challenges during her studies, particularly under the Trump administration, which she describes as a time of “state-imposed violence and hostility.”
Ozturk, who earned her PhD in child study and human development, gained attention after a year-long legal struggle against deportation. She was targeted due to her pro-Palestinian activism, which included co-signing an article urging her university to acknowledge the plight of Palestinians and divest from companies connected to Israel.
In March 2025, a viral video captured the dramatic moments of her arrest. Immigration officials surrounded her outside her Massachusetts home as she was leaving to break her Ramadan fast. Ozturk, who has no criminal record, felt that she was unfairly targeted for her opinions. The Department of Homeland Security accused her of activities in support of Hamas, a claim lacking any solid evidence.
This incident was part of a larger trend during the Trump era, where foreign scholars, particularly those who supported Palestinian rights, faced increased scrutiny and threats of deportation. Legal experts often pointed out that peaceful protest and expression of views fall under the First Amendment, yet Ozturk and others found themselves in distressing situations.
After her arrest, Ozturk spent more than a month in various detention centers, enduring poor conditions like overcrowding and inadequate healthcare. She described her experience in Vanity Fair, highlighting her health struggles exacerbated by the environment.
In May, she was released after her lawyers challenged her detention. Although an immigration judge eventually dismissed her removal proceedings, the administration appealed the decision. Recently, the ACLU announced that a settlement was reached, allowing her to leave for Turkey without further interference.
Expressing her feelings, Ozturk emphasized that countries should value international scholars. She stands in solidarity with others who face threats for their scholarship, wanting to continue her work back home. “I am choosing to return home to continue my career as a woman scholar without losing more time to the hostility I have faced in the U.S.,” she stated.
Her experience echoes a broader trend where international scholars and students feel the pressure of political climates affecting their academic freedom. This story serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggles faced by many in academia, especially those advocating for marginalized voices.
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