Key Takeaways
• A judge ruled on May 3, 2025, that Dogukan Gunaydin cannot be deported after a single DWI conviction.
• The Department of Homeland Security is appealing the decision; Gunaydin remains in Sherburn County Jail during the process.
• The University of Minnesota and community rallied in support, highlighting impacts on international students’ rights and university policies.
A recent court ruling concerning a University of Minnesota graduate student has highlighted key issues at the center of U.S. immigration law, campus concerns, and student life. On May 3, 2025, an immigration judge decided that Dogukan Gunaydin—a Turkish citizen and student at the University of Minnesota—cannot be deported following his arrest and detention by ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement). This case drew strong reactions from the university, advocates, and many people who follow changes and debates in immigration policy.
Let’s break down the facts, what led to this outcome, and what it could mean for other international students and schools such as the University of Minnesota.
The Incident: Arrest, Detention, and the Role of ICE
The series of events began with an arrest in 2023. Gunaydin, then studying at the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management on an F-1 student visa, was stopped in Minneapolis and charged with driving while intoxicated (DWI). According to police reports, he registered a blood alcohol content of 0.17—over twice the legal limit. As he was taken into custody, dashcam footage recorded Gunaydin asking the arresting officer about his future in the United States: “I just want to make sure in an absolute way that this won’t impact my legal presence in this country.” At the time, the officer reassured him, saying the judge would “probably not going to kick you out of the country.”
However, things took a different turn in March 2025. ICE agents arrested Gunaydin outside his apartment in St. Paul. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) argued that his DWI had led to the cancellation of his F-1 visa, and that he was now subject to deportation.
Gunaydin’s Record and Response
What complicates the story is Gunaydin’s standing as a student. His lawyers showed that he:
- Had never been in trouble with the law except for a past speeding ticket;
- Maintained a full course load at the University of Minnesota;
- Kept a strong GPA, showing strong academic effort;
- Showed real regret for his actions, even selling his car as a personal punishment for the DWI.
This record helped his legal team argue that, while driving under the influence is serious, a single DWI should not be enough to end a student’s ability to live and study in the United States—especially when they have strong ties to their school and otherwise clean records.
The Legal Battle: Courtrooms and Controversy
After his arrest by ICE, Gunaydin and his legal team acted quickly. They filed a lawsuit in federal court demanding his release and argued their case in both immigration court and the U.S. District Court in St. Paul. At the same time, the University of Minnesota community voiced concern and support for Gunaydin. Over 100 people gathered at Fort Snelling Immigration Court for his bond hearing, some carrying signs and offering moral support.
On May 3, 2025, the immigration judge made a key decision: the Department of Homeland Security had not proven “by clear, convincing, and unequivocal evidence” that Gunaydin could be deported because of his DWI. As reported by VisaVerge.com, this kind of ruling is not common, and the judge’s words carry weight throughout the immigration system.
Despite this victory for Gunaydin, he has not yet been freed. He remains in custody at Sherburn County Jail while the case moves to an appeal. DHS is pushing back, saying the judge was wrong not to call his DWI “criminal activity that endangers public safety.”
DWI and Deportation: A Legal Grey Area
This case brings up big questions: When does a DWI put an immigrant’s status at risk? Are all DWIs treated the same in the eyes of U.S. immigration law and ICE?
Under current laws, not every DWI leads to removal (another word for deportation). For a crime to support deportation, it often must be seen as an “aggravated felony” or a “crime involving moral turpitude”—legal terms describing crimes judged especially bad by courts. While driving drunk is against the law in every state, only certain circumstances, like multiple convictions, causing injury, or other crimes, might rise to those levels.
Gunaydin’s defense centered on this legal point. They said that while his blood alcohol content was high, he did not harm anyone and faced no other charges. He did not have a record of violence or repeated offenses. This approach convinced the judge that the legal standard for deportation had not been met.
University of Minnesota’s Role and Response
The University of Minnesota played a big part throughout this case. University leaders spoke out about their concerns, saying that immigration policy changes affected both individual students and the wider campus community. The university president issued statements and made resources available to help students, faculty, and staff understand their rights and get support.
This shows the challenges large schools face when federal immigration rules change or are not clear. Each year, universities like the University of Minnesota welcome thousands of international students who enrich campus life, research programs, and the local economy. When these students run into legal trouble, even outside of campus, the consequences can be far-reaching. Schools must balance support for their students while following the law.
The Supporters and the Impact on Community
The case pulled in not just students and university staff, but the broader St. Paul and Minneapolis area. Many of Gunaydin’s classmates and friends came to the court during bond hearings. These public shows of support highlight how closely-knit some immigrant student communities can be, and how one case can raise bigger questions about fairness and due process.
For many, this case brought up fear—not just of deportation, but of sudden changes in status that can disrupt lives, education, and family. For others, it’s a question about how ICE should use its power. Should someone with a single DWI, who poses no direct threat, be held behind bars while fighting a legal battle? What standards should guide ICE in choosing whom to detain or deport?
Legal Standards: “Clear, Convincing, and Unequivocal Evidence”
One of the key standards in immigration law is that the government must prove, in clear and plain terms, that removal (deportation) is justified. In Gunaydin’s case, the immigration judge said DHS did not meet this standard. The decision showed that, while ICE and DHS can act quickly to revoke visas and detain people, the power to actually remove someone is not automatic.
Federal courts demand real evidence, not just an arrest or accusation. For F-1 visa holders like Gunaydin, the law means:
- A visa can be revoked for breaking conditions (such as not attending class), for criminal acts, or if government officials think the holder is a public safety threat;
- Visa holders have the right to hearings to contest their removal;
- Even after a criminal offense, a person can fight removal in immigration court.
If you want to know more about F-1 visa rules and current procedures in the United States 🇺🇸, you can check the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ detailed information for students and exchange visitors.
The Ongoing Appeal and Life in Detention
Although Gunaydin won his first round in court, his time in custody is not over. Because DHS is appealing, he remains at the Sherburn County Jail. Appeals in immigration cases can take months, sometimes longer. During this time, detainees have limited freedom. Jail life is hard, and international students can face uncertainty, loss of income, and emotional stress.
Friends, supporters, and university leaders hope the appeal will be resolved soon, so Gunaydin can either return to his studies or plan his future. The case is being watched closely by immigration lawyers and student advocates across the United States 🇺🇸.
Larger Lessons for International Students
For international students at the University of Minnesota and across the country, this case leaves several key lessons:
- Even one legal mistake, such as a DWI, can have big consequences when you’re in the United States 🇺🇸 on a student visa;
- The system is complex, and even honest mistakes can lead to ICE involvement and loss of status;
- Schools have resources and offices that can help—students should reach out early, especially after any legal trouble;
- U.S. law treats all people the same in immigration courts, but each person’s case is different. Outcomes can depend on what happened, but also on how each person responds and seeks help.
Campus Climate and the Ongoing Debate
The Gunaydin case has sparked more debate about how international students experience life in the United States 🇺🇸. Many feel welcome at schools like the University of Minnesota but worry about how immigration agencies will treat them in tough times. Some want clearer rules from ICE and DHS. Others call for reforms so that nonviolent acts like a first-time DWI do not lead to removal.
Universities, for their part, must keep providing advising and make sure all students know their rights. The University of Minnesota has increased outreach, provided legal contacts, and created support systems in response to recent events. More information on the university’s efforts can be found on the University of Minnesota’s official resource page.
The Road Ahead: Lasting Effects of the Ruling
As the appeal moves forward, the Gunaydin case will continue to shape conversations about immigration and the role of ICE on campuses. The case shows how a simple legal trouble, such as a DWI, can quickly become a matter of federal detention, court hearings, and concern from an entire university.
Students, schools, and policymakers across the United States 🇺🇸 are watching to see what happens next. Will other judges make similar rulings? Will ICE and DHS change their approach when reviewing cases involving international students? No matter the outcome, the facts remain: immigration law is a powerful force, and even one night’s mistake can have lasting effects.
Key Points to Remember
- A University of Minnesota student was arrested and detained by ICE after a DWI, but a judge ruled he cannot be deported;
- The Department of Homeland Security is appealing, so Gunaydin remains in custody;
- The case has drawn attention from the University of Minnesota community, immigration lawyers, and advocates around the nation;
- Both this case and the community’s response show how much is at stake for international students—and why it is important for everyone to understand their rights and options.
As the process goes on, students and universities can visit VisaVerge.com for continued updates and clear explanations about changing laws, policies, and student resources.
In the end, while one case does not settle the bigger debates over immigration, it shows how rules, personal responsibility, and support from schools all combine to affect the lives and futures of thousands of students each year. The story of Gunaydin and the University of Minnesota community will remain an example for others facing similar struggles with ICE and the U.S. immigration system.
Learn Today
F-1 Visa → A non-immigrant visa allowing foreign nationals to study at accredited U.S. academic institutions as full-time students.
ICE → U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the agency responsible for enforcing immigration laws and carrying out deportations.
DWI → Driving While Intoxicated. Crime of operating a vehicle while impaired by alcohol or other substances, illegal in all states.
Aggravated Felony → A category of serious crimes in U.S. immigration law that often leads to automatic deportation if convicted.
Moral Turpitude → A legal term in immigration referring to conduct considered inherently dishonest, immoral, or depraved by societal standards.
This Article in a Nutshell
The University of Minnesota community watched closely as Dogukan Gunaydin, an F-1 visa student arrested for DWI, won a rare court victory halting his deportation. This pivotal case highlights complexities of U.S. immigration law, campus support, and the uncertain futures international students face after even a single legal mistake.
— By VisaVerge.com
Read more:
• Guatemalan Woman Beats Deportation After Giving Birth
• Trump Agency Targets International Students for Deportation
• Judge Brian Murphy Blocks Trump’s Guantanamo Deportations
• Florida Launches State Deportation Flights With National Guard
• Badar Khan Suri faces deportation fight as Trump administration intervenes
