State Department Finds No Credible Evidence Of Antisemitism From Ozturk

People holding sign against antiSemitism at protest

State Department finds no evidence linking Tufts student Rumeysa Ozturk to antisemitism or terrorist support, contradicting the reason for her controversial detention by immigration authorities.

Key Takeaways

An internal State Department memo confirms no evidence connects Tufts University student Rumeysa Ozturk with antisemitism or pro-terrorist statements
Ozturk, a Turkish graduate student, has been held in a Louisiana immigration detention center for over two weeks after masked ICE agents arrested her
More than two dozen progressive Jewish organizations and congregations have filed a brief supporting Ozturk’s release
Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced her visa revocation, citing anti-Israel activism, though government agencies found no substantiating evidence
A Boston judge has ruled Ozturk cannot be deported until jurisdiction over her arrest is determined

State Department Contradicts Detention Justification

The State Department has found no evidence linking Tufts University student Rumeysa Ozturk to antisemitism or support for terrorist organizations, according to an internal department memo. This finding directly contradicts the stated reasons for her detention and visa revocation. Ozturk, a Turkish graduate student at Tufts, was arrested by masked immigration agents near her home in Somerville, Massachusetts, and has been held in a Louisiana immigration detention center for over two weeks. The revelation raises serious questions about the basis for the government’s actions against her.

The memo indicates that thorough reviews by both the State Department and Department of Homeland Security could not substantiate claims that Ozturk posed any threat or had made antisemitic or pro-terrorist statements. Despite this lack of evidence, Secretary of State Marco Rubio publicly announced the revocation of her visa, specifically citing anti-Israel activism as the reason. The discrepancy between the internal findings and public statements has fueled growing controversy around the case.

According to Ozturk herself, “I felt very scared and concerned as the men surrounded me and grabbed my phone from me.”

The government knew there was no evidence connecting Rumeysa Ozturk to Hamas or anti-Semitic activity. All they had was the fact she co-wrote an op-ed criticizing Israel. That’s it https://t.co/pkUz7JhAp3 pic.twitter.com/ROktWbPS0J

— Brian Tashman (@briantashman) April 14, 2025

Jewish Organizations Rally in Support

In a remarkable development, more than two dozen progressive Jewish organizations and congregations have come together to support Ozturk. These groups, including synagogues from West Newton, Massachusetts; San Francisco; and New York’s Upper West Side, along with J-Street, a pro-Israel advocacy group, have filed a brief in federal court opposing the government’s actions. The coalition argues that using antisemitism as justification for deportation when no evidence exists is particularly troubling and counterproductive to genuine efforts to combat antisemitism.

In a brief, the coalition reminded readers that “Jewish people came to America to escape generations of similar predations.”

The brief draws powerful parallels between Ozturk’s arrest and oppressive tactics used by authoritarian regimes that many Jewish ancestors fled. The organizations argue that using heavy-handed immigration enforcement against students expressing political views runs counter to American values and sets a dangerous precedent. They have specifically requested the court to order Ozturk’s immediate release from detention while her case proceeds through the legal system.

so even in their own words they are literally deporting her for writing an op-ed https://t.co/QLzmCG4Ndi pic.twitter.com/t8yki6FS8O

— tyson brody (@tysonbrody) April 14, 2025

Legal Battle and Broader Implications

Ozturk’s legal troubles appear connected to her co-authorship of an op-ed critical of Tufts University’s response to student resolutions on Palestinian issues. Her attorneys argue her detention violates both her constitutional rights and First Amendment protections. A Boston judge has already ruled that Ozturk cannot be deported until jurisdiction over her arrest is properly determined, with a hearing scheduled in Vermont. Secretary Rubio has defended the visa revocation, saying, “If you lie to us and get a visa and then enter the United States, and with that visa participate in that sort of activity, we’re going to take away your visa.”

Ozturk’s case highlights a broader trend affecting international students. According to the Association of International Educators, nearly 1,000 international students and scholars in the United States have lost their legal status since mid-March. Many of these visa revocations occur with little or no notice, with students not being informed of their alleged infractions. When students lose legal status and don’t leave voluntarily, they face detention and deportation—creating a climate of uncertainty and fear across university campuses nationwide.