Federal Court Reviews Case of Tufts Ph.D. Student Detained by ICE
A Boston federal judge deliberated on the case of Rumeysa Ozturk, a Turkish Ph.D. student at Tufts University, who was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) last week and transported to Louisiana. This move occurred despite a court order to keep her in Massachusetts, raising jurisdictional questions about where the case should be heard.
Ozturk, a Fulbright Scholar, was arrested on March 25 in Somerville as she headed to a Ramadan dinner. Claiming she had expressed support for Palestinians, the Justice Department initially cited her as a "non-immigrant status violator." Attorneys for Ozturk have filed a habeas petition to contest her removal, arguing that federal authorities failed to adhere to the court’s order and that they struggled to locate Ozturk immediately after her arrest.
Judge Denise Casper did not decide on jurisdiction but expressed interest in the case. Attorneys argue that ICE’s rapid transfer of Ozturk represents "forum shopping" to ensure her petition can’t proceed effectively.
Tufts President Sunil Kumar voiced the university’s support for Ozturk, asserting that her recent op-ed urging acknowledgment of Palestinian issues was protected under free speech policies. He emphasized that there was no evidence justifying her detention based on university activities.
As the situation unfolds, Ozturk’s lawyers seek her return to Massachusetts and release from detention, contending her constitutional rights to free speech and due process have been violated. The case has sparked a broader conversation about the implications of student activism and immigration policy, especially amid heightened scrutiny of international students.
The outcome may influence ongoing discussions about the treatment of foreign students in the U.S. and their rights to express political views.
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