SOMERVILLE, Mass. — A graduate student from Turkey attending Tufts University was unexpectedly detained by agents from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security with no given reason, according to her lawyer. The 30-year-old Rumeysa Ozturk was intercepted shortly after leaving her residence in Somerville. A video reportedly captures six masked individuals confiscating Ozturk’s phone as she was handcuffed, identifying themselves as police officers.
Eyewitness accounts reveal the unsettling nature of the arrest that occurred on a peaceful residential street. Michael Mathis, a local resident, described the incident as resembling a “kidnapping,” noting that the individuals involved were masked and in unmarked vehicles. The incident has provoked concern among neighbors and the university community.
Tufts University’s President, Sunil Kumar, acknowledged the situation, stating that the institution was uninformed about the detention and had no involvement in the federal process that ensued. The university confirmed that Ozturk, whose visa to study in the U.S. has been suddenly revoked, is a doctoral candidate at their Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.
Public figures, including Democratic Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, have expressed outrage, perceiving the arrest as a significant breach of constitutional rights. Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell labeled the event as “disturbing,” speculating that the motives behind the arrest might be related to Ozturk’s political views.
Despite a federal judge’s order to avoid relocating Ozturk out of the Massachusetts district without prior notice, records indicated she was transferred to a detention facility in Louisiana. The Department of Homeland Security claims that Ozturk’s visa was revoked due to alleged involvement in supporting Hamas, an act deemed sufficient for dismissing her legal status.
Ozturk had previously co-authored an article criticizing Tufts University’s handling of resolutions favoring Palestinian advocacy, a stance that may have drawn scrutiny from certain quarters. Nonetheless, colleagues assert that her involvement in political activism is minimal. The online platform Canary Mission listed her op-ed as part of its documentation on individuals it claims propagate anti-Israel sentiments.
The unfolding situation has sparked protests in Somerville, with numerous community members rallying to demand Ozturk’s release. Many of those gathered echoed support for Palestinian rights and condemned the perceived injustices within the immigration system.
Turkish authorities remain actively involved, keeping abreast of developments and pursuing legal avenues to support Ozturk. The Turkish Embassy emphasized its commitment to safeguarding her rights through diplomatic channels.