Massachusetts politicians have criticized the Trump administration for the detention of Tufts University Ph.D. student Rumeysa Ozturk, who was arrested by federal agents off-campus on Tuesday. Governor Maura Healey expressed concern that the arrest could deter foreign students from studying in Massachusetts, while Senator Elizabeth Warren called it part of a pattern of stifling civil liberties. Senator Ed Markey also condemned the detention of Ozturk, who has legal status, without a criminal charge.
The video of Ozturk being taken into custody went viral, prompting outrage from Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea J. Campbell and U.S. Rep. Jake Auchincloss. Auchincloss, despite his disagreement with Ozturk’s views on Israel, emphasized the importance of free speech and due process, calling the arrest contrary to Massachusetts’ tradition of welcoming students and immigrants.
Representative Ayanna Pressley described Ozturk’s arrest as a violation of her constitutional rights and called for her immediate release. The politicians criticized the Trump administration for targeting individuals based on their political viewpoints and vowed to push back against such actions. Ozturk is currently being held at a federal facility in Louisiana, sparking further concern and condemnation from Massachusetts officials.
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