On Tuesday, U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agents arrested Rumeysa Ozturk in Somerville, Massachusetts. She is a Turkish national currently a doctoral student at Tufts’ Fletcher School. Ozturk, a Fulbright scholar working on her doctorate in philosophy, was looking forward to sharing a meal with friends during Ramadan and breaking her fast at an iftar gathering. Without notice, however, masked federal agents arrested her en route. Her detention has generated both outrage and alarm and raised pointed questions about free speech, academic freedom, and their relationship to national security.
The entire episode played out as Ozturk was simply leaving her residence mode, only to be intercepted, handcuffed, and detained by federal agents. Prior to her Ludtke’s transfer to a detention center in Louisiana, a staff member confiscated her phone and backpack—using force. This occurred despite a court order barring her removal from Massachusetts. DHS terminated her student visa, claiming that she had provided material support to Hamas (a foreign terrorist organization).
Ozturk’s alleged support for Hamas is based on her co-authorship of an op-ed in a student newspaper that criticized Tufts University’s response to Israel’s attacks on Gaza and Palestinians. Her activism doesn’t appear to extend past this article and planning a Thanksgiving potluck. The arrest put the spotlight on why she was arrested in the first place.
Mahsa Khanbabai, Ozturk’s lawyer, has submitted an emergency motion to that effect. She requests that DHS bring Ozturk before the court and explain why she is being detained. The impact of their arrest The case further highlights a string of selective arrests of students involved in pro-Palestinian activism.
“We’re all deeply pained,” said Sunil Kumar, President of Tufts University.
“From what we have been told subsequently, the student’s visa has been terminated, and we seek to confirm whether that information is true,” – Sunil Kumar, Tufts University’s president.
Reyyan Bilge, a close friend and long-time colleague of Ozturk, stood up against the accusations.
“Rumeysa has been my student, colleague, friend for over a decade,” – Reyyan Bilge.
“She does not carry a hateful bone in her body let alone being antisemitic.” – Reyyan Bilge.
According to the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the actions taken against Ozturk were potentially a violation of her First Amendment rights.
“We unequivocally condemn the abduction of a young Muslim hijab-wearing scholar by masked federal agents in broad daylight. This alarming act of repression is a direct assault on free speech and academic freedom.” – Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR).
Ozturk’s detention contributes to an atmosphere of fear and repression facing students who are engaging in pro-Palestinian movement activity. Opponents of these repressive measures, including teachers and faculty organizations, assert that actions like these erode free speech and the right to dissent in learning spaces.
“DHS and [Immigration and Customs Enforcement] investigations found Ozturk engaged in activities in support of Hamas, a foreign terrorist organization that relishes the killing of Americans. A visa is a privilege, not a right. Glorifying and supporting terrorists who kill Americans is grounds for visa issuance to be terminated. This is commonsense security,” – DHS spokesperson.
Ozturk’s detention adds to the growing tension surrounding the treatment of students involved in pro-Palestinian movements. Critics argue that such actions threaten free speech and the right to dissent within academic environments.