Judge Denies Trump Administration's Bid to Move Cases of Turkish PhD Student, Pro-Palestinian Activist

A federal judge has denied the Trump administration's requests to transfer the cases of two detained students, Rumeysa Ozturk and Mahmoud Khalil, to Louisiana, ruling instead that their legal proceedings will continue in Vermont and New Jersey, respectively. Ozturk, a Turkish doctoral student at Tufts, was arrested by immigration agents and has faced allegations related to her pro-Palestinian activism, yet has not been charged with any crime. The judge's decision sends a strong message against the manipulation of jurisdiction for targeting human rights defenders. Similarly, Khalil, a Columbia University activist, has had his case remain in New Jersey, where he was detained, after the administration sought to move it to a more conservative venue. Both cases highlight ongoing concerns regarding the treatment of international students and activists in the U.S. amid heightened scrutiny of pro-Palestinian advocacy. Advocates continue to fight for their rights and release, emphasizing the importance of due process in their cases.