University of Minnesota Student Faces Deportation, But Legal Appeal Offers Hope
Dogukan Gunaydin, a graduate student at the University of Minnesota, is fighting to stay in the United States after his student visa was unexpectedly revoked. Gunaydin, who is from Turkey, has lived in the U.S. since 2018 and is working toward a doctorate in mechanical engineering. His situation has drawn attention and support from his university community, who say he is an important part of their academic family.
Visa Revoked After Conference Trip
Gunaydin’s trouble began in October 2023. He had traveled to Canada to attend a research conference for his studies. But when he returned to the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, things took a surprising turn. U.S. border officials told him his visa was no longer valid. They said it had been revoked because of a “security-related” issue. Gunaydin and his supporters say there is no evidence to back up this claim.
After that, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detained him. He was kept in custody for nearly two months. In December 2023, Gunaydin was released on bond, but his struggle was far from over. He still faced the threat of deportation and has been fighting his case in immigration court ever since.
Deportation Ordered, But Appeal Pauses Removal
In May 2024, an immigration judge decided that Gunaydin should be removed from the country. But his lawyers acted quickly and filed an appeal. Under U.S. immigration law, when a person appeals a deportation order, it triggers an “automatic stay.” This means that Gunaydin cannot be deported while his appeal is still being decided. For now, this legal rule gives him the right to stay in the U.S. temporarily.
University Community Rallies in Support
The University of Minnesota community has come together to support Gunaydin. Many faculty, students, and staff believe he is not a threat and should be allowed to finish his research. Professor Jane Davidson, Gunaydin’s advisor, spoke about his value to the university.
- “Dogukan is an exceptional student and researcher,” Davidson said. “His work is important, and he deserves to continue his studies here.”
President Joan Gabel, who leads the university, also stepped in. She wrote letters to immigration officials, asking them to let Gunaydin complete his degree. Gabel said deporting Gunaydin could hurt academic freedom and make it harder for international students to come to the U.S. in the future.
- “We urge the authorities to reconsider and allow Dogukan to remain in the United States to complete his studies,” Gabel wrote.
Campus Action: Rallies, Petitions, and Fundraising
The effort to help Gunaydin has gone beyond just letters and words. Students and staff have organized rallies and started petitions to gather support. They have also raised money to help pay for his legal defense. Maria Lopez, president of the graduate student association, explained why the case matters so much.
- “This is not just about one student,” Lopez said. “It’s about the message we send to international scholars and the future of academic exchange.”
Many students are worried that cases like Gunaydin’s could discourage talented people from around the world from coming to study in the U.S. They believe supporting students like him is important for science, education, and America’s reputation as a place for learning.
Gunaydin’s Hopes and Fears
While the legal fight continues, Dogukan Gunaydin says he is grateful for the support he has received. Still, he admits he is anxious about what might happen next. He just wants to finish his degree and give back to the scientific community.
- “I just want to finish my research and contribute to my field,” Gunaydin said. “I hope the appeal will allow me to stay and complete my degree.”
Gunaydin has spent six years in the United States working on his studies. The possibility of being forced to leave before he earns his doctorate is stressful. But the automatic stay gives him some hope that he can complete his work while his case is reviewed.
What Happens Next?
The decision on Gunaydin’s appeal could impact not just him, but many other international students who face similar situations. If he wins his appeal, he will be able to stay in the U.S. to finish his studies. If not, he may have to leave the country, which would be a loss for his university and possibly for the research community as a whole.
For now, Gunaydin waits for the court’s decision, supported by university leaders, professors, classmates, and friends. His case shines a light on the challenges international students can face and the importance of academic support and fair legal processes in the United States.
- Dogukan Gunaydin’s student visa was revoked in October 2023 after a research trip to Canada.
- He was detained by ICE for nearly two months before being released on bond.
- An immigration judge ordered his deportation in May 2024, but an appeal has paused his removal.
- The University of Minnesota community is rallying to support him, organizing rallies, petitions, and fundraising efforts.
- The outcome of his case could affect other international students facing visa problems.
As the legal battle continues, one thing is clear: Gunaydin’s case has brought many people together, all hoping for a fair and positive outcome for an international student who calls America home.