Federal Judge Blocks Deportation of Tufts Doctoral Student Detained by ICE
BOSTON (AP) — A federal judge in Massachusetts has ruled that Rumeysa Ozturk, a 30-year-old Tufts University doctoral student detained earlier this week, cannot be deported to Turkey without further court orders. Ozturk was apprehended by masked immigration officials while walking in Somerville on Tuesday and was swiftly moved to an ICE detention center in Basile, Louisiana.
On Friday, U.S. District Court Judge Denise Casper mandated that the government respond to a complaint filed by Ozturk’s attorneys by Tuesday evening. The judge emphasized that Ozturk must not be removed from the U.S. until the court makes a decision regarding its jurisdiction over her case.
Ozturk’s detention has drawn attention within the academic community, as she is among several university-affiliated individuals who have openly supported Palestinian rights during recent protests related to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Recently, there have been reports of visa revocations and entry denials faced by individuals expressing similar views.
A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security confirmed Ozturk’s detention, citing allegations of her involvement in activities supportive of Hamas, a group designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S. government. However, no concrete evidence was provided to substantiate these claims.
This incident occurs in the context of escalating tensions surrounding the war in Gaza, which erupted after Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, leading to significant casualties on both sides. Ozturk was previously involved in writing an opinion piece for The Tufts Daily, urging the university to acknowledge the situation in Palestine and divest from companies associated with Israel, although friends claim she was not actively protesting.
The case raises critical questions regarding academic freedom, expression, and the implications of U.S. immigration policy.
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