BOSTON – An immigration judge terminated removal proceedings against Tufts University doctoral student Rümeysa Öztürk on January 29, 2026, a decision revealed in court documents filed Monday. The case, which drew national attention after Öztürk’s arrest in March 2025, hinged on the government’s inability to prove her removability, according to her legal team.
Öztürk, a Turkish national, was detained for over a month last year as part of what her lawyers characterized as the Trump administration’s effort to target and deport international students and activists involved in pro-Palestinian advocacy. The core of the government’s case rested on an opinion article she co-authored in the Tufts Daily, containing criticisms of Israel and her subsequent listing on Canary Mission, a website that blacklists individuals perceived as critical of Israel.
The judge’s decision follows the recent unsealing of court documents demonstrating that federal authorities possessed no evidence linking Öztürk to terrorist activity when she was arrested. According to a letter from her attorneys, the Department of Homeland Security “had not met its burden” to justify her deportation. “Today, I breathe a sigh of relief knowing that despite the justice system’s flaws, my case may give hope to those who have also been wronged by the U.S. Government,” Öztürk said in a statement.
The arrest itself, carried out by plainclothes ICE agents in Somerville, Massachusetts, sparked immediate outcry. Leaked State Department memos, reported by the Washington Post in April 2025, revealed that officials acknowledged they had no evidence linking Öztürk to terrorism or antisemitic activities prior to her detention. One memo reportedly recommended revoking her student visa based on her “anti-Israel activism” following the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks, despite the lack of any concrete evidence of wrongdoing. CNN reported on the details of the memos.
Following her arrest, the Department of Homeland Security claimed Öztürk “engaged in activities in support of Hamas” without providing specifics. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also publicly suggested, without evidence, that she was involved in disruptive campus activities.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), representing Öztürk, filed Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests for the State Department memos. The agency has reportedly continued to resist full disclosure, citing privacy concerns and law enforcement techniques, despite a court order requiring the release of some documents. The ACLU stated that the government’s reasoning is “bunk,” arguing that its anti-speech immigration enforcement tactics are already publicly known.
The case highlights a broader pattern of government targeting of pro-Palestinian activists, according to advocates. Recent leaks have revealed ICE instructions allowing warrantless home entries and the use of Canary Mission-style blacklists to label protesters as “domestic terrorists,” as noted by the Freedom of the Press Foundation. The Hill also reported on the judge’s rejection of the Trump administration’s deportation bid.
While the immigration judge has terminated removal proceedings, the government retains the option to appeal the decision. As of February 14, 2026, no indication has been given whether the administration will pursue further legal action.
