A student from Tufts University, originally from Turkey, was released from an immigration detention center in Louisiana after being held for over six weeks. Rumeysa Ozturk was arrested in a Boston suburb and later detained under controversial circumstances. A federal judge, William Sessions, ordered her release while her legal claim of illegal detention is resolved, following her critical op-ed about her university’s response to Israel’s conflict in Gaza. A photo released by her attorneys showed Ozturk smiling alongside them in Louisiana, where legal proceedings regarding her detention status will continue.
While there had been an attempt to delay her release by imposing an ankle monitor, Ozturk was freed without any movement restrictions or monitoring, according to her legal representation. Her supporters celebrated the decision vigorously, with chants announcing her freedom during a news conference held by her legal team.
Jessie Rossman, from the ACLU of Massachusetts, stated that there was no justification for Ozturk’s detention, attributing her arrest to her exercising her right to free speech through writing an op-ed in her student newspaper. Appearing via video for her bail hearing, Ozturk detailed her medical issues while detained, including numerous asthma attacks, and expressed her ambition to complete her doctoral studies.
Ozturk, on track to finish her Ph.D. by December before her arrest, was to be released without travel restrictions. Judge Sessions remarked that she posed neither a threat nor a flight risk but might need to consult with ICE for any conditions of release. The judge criticized the lack of evidence supporting her arrest beyond her academic activism and emphasized her dedication to her studies and community engagements.
During her testimony, Ozturk raised concerns about her First Amendment and due process rights, citing health issues that began with a severe asthma attack at the Atlanta airport. She recounted feeling terrified and emotional during these episodes. Her abrupt detention involved immigration officials taking her through states before she was flown to Louisiana, following the revocation of her student visa, without prior notice.
Initially, Ozturk’s legal team struggled to locate her after she was taken into custody, which delayed their ability to file a timely legal action. Eventually, the case was moved from Massachusetts to Vermont courts. Ozturk was one of four students who contributed to the op-ed in “The Tufts Daily” challenging Tufts University’s handling of claims regarding Palestinian genocide and financial ties to Israel.
Upon her release, Ozturk anticipated support from Tufts in the form of housing, with friends and attorneys willing to assist her in attending future court dates. She planned to return to New England soon, complying with all legal requirements. A U.S. State Department document mentioned the revocation of her visa, citing concerns about undermining U.S. foreign policy and alleged associations with groups perceived as threats.
In March, Homeland Security claimed investigations linked Ozturk to activities supporting Hamas, although no evidence was presented. Attorney Mahsa Khanbabai questioned the rationale behind punishing political expression. She expressed gratitude for court decisions siding with political prisoners like Ozturk.
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