A 30-year-old Turkish doctoral student at Tufts University, Rumeysa Ozturk, has been detained by federal agents from the Department of Homeland Security without clear justification, according to her legal counsel. Ozturk was apprehended on a residential street in Somerville, Massachusetts, as she was heading out to meet friends for iftar, a meal that breaks the fast during Ramadan. Her detention, which included being handcuffed and having her phone seized, was captured on video.
Her lawyer, Mahsa Khanbabai, expressed concerns over Ozturk’s well-being, stating that they have been unable to locate or communicate with her after her arrest. Reports indicate that Ozturk holds a valid student visa, and to date, no formal charges have been disclosed against her.
Witnesses described the scene as alarming, with one neighbour likening the agents’ actions to a kidnapping, particularly as they wore masks and used unmarked vehicles. Tufts University has confirmed that Ozturk’s visa was terminated following her detention and noted that they had no prior knowledge of the incident.
The arrest has drawn condemnation from public officials, including Democratic Representative Ayanna Pressley, who labelled it a blatant violation of Ozturk’s constitutional rights. She demanded Ozturk’s immediate release, rejecting what she called blatant intimidation.
Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell expressed her dismay at the circumstances surrounding Ozturk’s detention, indicating it amounted to a troubling act of intimidation rather than genuine public safety enforcement. The US District Court has mandated the government to provide an explanation for Ozturk’s detention, with any movement outside Massachusetts requiring advance notice.
Authorities have since asserted that Ozturk is being held in Louisiana and stated that investigations linked her to activities supporting Hamas, classifying her detention as a matter of national security. Critics argue that this reflects a broader trend of targeting students based on their political views, particularly regarding Israel and Palestine. Friends of Ozturk have highlighted her gentle nature and her limited involvement in protests, noting that she only co-authored a critical op-ed about the university’s handling of a resolution relating to Palestinian affairs.
Ozturk, who previously earned a master’s degree from Columbia University and had been focused on her academic pursuits, has not been actively involved in demonstrations against Israel, despite her name being featured as part of a list purportedly documenting anti-Israel activism. As reactions continue to unfold, the implications of her arrest on academic freedom and civil rights remain under intense scrutiny.