'Visa to Study, Not to Be a Social Activist': Rubio Defends Detention of Turkish Student

Washington: During a bilateral press conference in Georgetown, Guyana on Thursday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the decision by the Trump administration to detain Rumeysa Ozturk, a Turkish national who was studying at Tufts University in Massachusetts on an F-1 visa. Ozturk, who co-authored an opinion piece last year criticizing the university’s handling of student demands related to Palestinian rights, became the focal point of controversy after her detention.

Rubio, speaking alongside Guyanese President Irfaan Ali, was questioned by reporters about the rationale behind the detention. The Secretary of State was firm in his stance, expressing disbelief at the notion that a country would permit foreign students to engage in disruptive political activism while studying abroad.

‘Visa Given to Study, Not to be Social Activist’

He highlighted that Ozturk, as an international student, was granted a "visa to come and study and get a degree, not to be a social activist that comes in and tears up our university campuses."

"I think it’s crazy, I think it’s stupid, for any country in the world to welcome people into your country that are going to go to universities as visitors and say, ‘I’m going to your universities to start a riot. I’m going to your universities to take over a library and harass people,'" Rubio remarked. 

Also Read: Turkish Student Detained in US, Visa Revoked Over Pro-Palestinian Views

The Secretary of State’s comments stem from Ozturk’s involvement in a protest at Tufts University, where she was part of a group of students who demanded that the institution take a stronger stand on Palestinian rights, including divesting from companies with ties to Israel. The protestors also called for the university to formally acknowledge what they termed the "Palestinian genocide."

Rubio Compares Turkish Student to Disruptive Guest

Rubio compared Ozturk’s actions to a disruptive guest in someone’s home. "If you invite me into your home because I say, ‘Oh I want to go to your house for dinner,’ and I come into your house and I start putting mud on your couch and spray painting your kitchen, I bet you you’re going to kick me out," he said. "That’s the same principle."

Despite the intense rhetoric, Ozturk has not been charged with any criminal offense, as confirmed by her legal representation. Her lawyer said that no formal charges had been filed against her at the time of the press conference.

As of now, the Turkish student remains in legal limbo while her attorney pursues possible avenues for her release.