Press Release: Tufts Doctoral Student Rümeysa Öztürk Released from Immigration Detention
BOSTON, MA — Rümeysa Öztürk, a doctoral student at Tufts University, returned to Boston after being released from a Louisiana immigration detention center on Friday. In a press conference at Logan International Airport, she expressed her gratitude for the support she received during her 45-day detention, which she described as a loss of both freedom and education.
Senator Edward Markey and U.S. Representative Ayanna Pressley, along with representatives from the ACLU and Öztürk’s legal team, celebrated her release as a victory for democracy and urged public advocacy for constitutional rights. Öztürk was detained after co-authoring a pro-Palestinian op-ed for the Tufts Daily, leading to the revocation of her student visa.
Judge William K. Sessions III cited a lack of evidence for her detention, stating that it violated her free speech and due process rights. Öztürk, who faced escalating asthma attacks during her detention, plans to continue her studies focusing on children and social media while her case proceeds in court. She thanked the Tufts community for their unwavering support, noting she intends to comply with all legal requirements as she resumes her education.
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