Turkish student detained in Iowa apartment, fears forced military service
Jun 25, 2026 · Iowa City, IA, Turkey

Ozgur Demirkan, a 30-year-old Turkish national and former Kirkwood Community College student, was detained by ICE agents at his Iowa City apartment on June 25, 2026. Demirkan had lived in Iowa since 2018 on a student visa and returned to the United States in 2022 during the Turkey-Ukraine conflict. According to community organizers, he fears forced military enlistment if deported to Turkey and aspires to continue studying medicine. The detention occurred following Congress's approval of a $70 billion funding increase for ICE and Border Patrol.
Sources
More incidents in Iowa
- Venezuelan construction worker detained by ICE during routine check-in in Cedar RapidsAugust 19, 2026 · Cedar Rapids, IA
- Salvadoran immigrant detained at ICE check-in after seven-year residency petition waitAug 4, 2026 · Cedar Rapids, IA
- Judge orders release of South Sudanese woman held in Iowa jail by ICEJul 16, 2026 · Pottawattamie County, IA
- Guatemalan man detained by ICE after 10 years in U.S., judge orders bond hearingJul 15, 2026 · Clarion, IA
- Activist Annya Mari tackled and arrested by police outside ICE facility in Cedar RapidsJul 7, 2026 · Cedar Rapids, IA
- Construction worker detained by ICE after state trooper traffic stopJul 7, 2026 · North Liberty, IA