Deportation had been requested: New decision regarding Rümeysa Öztürk, who was detained in the US

A new development has occurred in the legal process concerning Rümeysa Öztürk, who is pursuing her PhD at Tufts University in the US state of Massachusetts. In the legal battle launched to prevent the deportation of Öztürk, who was detained on March 25 by officials from the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), an agency under the US Department of Homeland Security, a temporary stay of removal has been issued by the Boston District Court.

In the case heard under the Habeas Corpus petition submitted to the court, Judge Denise J. Casper issued a notable ruling, stating that Öztürk would not be removed from the US until the case is concluded. In the text of the decision, Judge Casper stated, "In order to preserve the Court's jurisdiction until a decision is reached on the petition in question, the Petitioner shall not be removed from the United States unless and until the Court orders otherwise."

The court noted that there is a dispute between the parties regarding jurisdiction, stating that the principle of maintaining the status quo applies in such situations. The court also referenced the case of activist Mahmoud Khalil, who led Gaza protests at Columbia University and whose legal process is still ongoing, adding to the decision text, "in order to preserve the Court's jurisdiction until a decision is reached on the petition, it has been decided that the Petitioner shall not be removed from the United States unless and until the Court orders otherwise."

RESPONSES AWAITED FROM NAMES ON THE DEFENDANT LIST

The court also granted time for the officials named in the case to respond. The defendants include US President Donald Trump, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, US Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, Acting Director of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement Todd Lyons, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New England Michael Krol, and Field Office Director Patricia Hyde. According to the court order, these officials must submit their official responses by Tuesday, April 1, 2025, at 5:00 PM.

Öztürk's attorney had stated that her client was detained unlawfully and requested her release and the cessation of the deportation process. The temporary decision issued by the court serves as a legal protective umbrella, ensuring that Öztürk remains in the US until the case is concluded.