A federal judge in Minnesota has halted the deportation of a graduate student from Turkey who was arrested earlier this year by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Doğukan Günaydın, a student at the University of Minnesota, was apprehended on March 27, following a DWI conviction that led to the revocation of his student visa, according to a senior official from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
On Monday, the judge issued a temporary restraining order prohibiting any actions to remove or transfer Günaydın from the state. The order explicitly states that no agency or individual is authorized to facilitate his removal from Minnesota.
Despite this ruling, court documents indicate that requests to restore Günaydın’s student status and secure his release from detention were denied. Footage from a Minneapolis police squad car captures the moments leading to his arrest for driving under the influence in 2023, during which Günaydın expressed concern about the potential impact on his student visa.
“I just want to make sure that like, in absolute way, that like this does not impact my legal presence in this country,” he is heard saying in the police video. His plea followed a guilty admission to the DWI charge, acknowledging that deportation could be a consequence of his actions.
In response to his detention, Günaydın has initiated a lawsuit against ICE, claiming that his constitutional rights were violated when he was arrested before the formal revocation of his student visa. This legal challenge raises questions about the timing and justification of his detention.
During an April bond hearing, prosecutors argued that Günaydın should remain in custody until his case is resolved, asserting that he poses a risk to public safety due to his driving history. They maintained that the lack of serious injury from his actions does not diminish the danger he presented.
Conversely, Günaydın’s attorney highlighted the police report from the incident, which noted that he was not speeding, did not attempt to flee, and has maintained a clean record since. Records indicate that a hearing to determine his immigration status is scheduled for May 12.
This case sheds light on broader issues surrounding immigration enforcement and the potential consequences of criminal charges for international students in the United States.
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