On a recent Thursday, Boston’s federal court witnessed a tense legal battle surrounding Rumeysa Ozturk, a doctoral student from Turkey enrolled at Tufts University, as her attorneys fought for her return to Massachusetts following her unexpected detention by immigration officials. Arrested on March 25 while walking near her Boston home, Ozturk’s legal team argues she was unlawfully removed to a detention facility in Basile, Louisiana, after stops in New Hampshire and Vermont.
Her lawyer, Adriana Lafaille, emphasized to the court that Ozturk was taken without the ability to contact her attorneys, and her location remained undisclosed for 22 hours, creating challenges for legal counsel and the Department of Justice in tracking her whereabouts.
The legal team urged Judge Denise Casper to mandate her immediate return to Massachusetts and her release from custody. Alternatively, if not Massachusetts, her lawyers pushed for her relocation to Vermont. In defense, Justice Department attorney Mark Sauter clarified that Ozturk’s move to Louisiana was not a jurisdictional manipulation but a logistical necessity due to the lack of bed space for female detainees in the region.
The U.S. government attorneys believe the case should be decided by an immigration judge. By the time Judge Casper ordered authorities to keep her in Massachusetts, Ozturk had already been relocated to Vermont, complicating the situation.
Aside from these legal complexities, her detention also raises constitutional concerns about free speech and due process, claim her lawyers. No immediate decision was issued by Judge Casper following the day’s deliberations.
Ozturk’s case appears linked to activism, as she and several others with connections to American educational institutions have faced similar visa revocations or entry denials. Specifically, the revocation of Ozturk’s visa seems tied to her public support for Palestinians, including her co-authorship of an op-ed in The Tufts Daily calling for institutional changes at Tufts University related to acknowledging Palestinian issues and divestment from certain business relationships.
In a letter released by her attorney on Thursday, Ozturk expressed her dedication to justice and her research pursuits. She passionately advocated for listening to diverse perspectives and reaffirmed her resolve to advocate for the rights of youth and children, despite ongoing challenges.
Outside the courthouse, demonstrators gathered, holding signs such as “No More Abductions” and chanting slogans in support of Ozturk. Her community at Tufts University has rallied behind her, with numerous colleagues submitting character support letters to the court, painting her as a beloved and compassionate member of their academic circle.
Reyyan Bilge, a close friend and research collaborator of Ozturk, lamented the situation as a distressing scenario for a student who came to the United States for education. The emotional testimony in court emphasized the shock and disbelief at Ozturk’s unexpected detainment, highlighting her exemplary character.
Meanwhile, the Department of Homeland Security has confirmed the cancellation of Ozturk’s visa, linking her to activities allegedly supportive of Hamas, a terrorist organization as designated by the U.S. government, although no supporting evidence for these claims was provided.
The ongoing conflict between Hamas and Israel has seen severe casualties and destruction, driving international scrutiny and becoming a focal point of discussions around Ozturk’s case.