Tufts Graduate Rümeysa Öztürk Returns to Turkey Amid Legal Dispute with U.S.
Rümeysa Öztürk, a Tufts University graduate, has returned to Turkey, ending her legal battle with the Trump administration. Öztürk was arrested by ICE agents last year after her visa was revoked, allegedly due to her involvement in pro-Palestinian advocacy. Her case drew international attention, highlighting issues of academic freedom and free speech. Öztürk's legal team argued that her arrest was unlawful, and her immigration proceedings were eventually dismissed. Despite this, Öztürk chose to leave the U.S., citing state-imposed violence and hostility. The Department of Homeland Security expressed satisfaction with her departure, emphasizing that visas are a privilege, not a right.