BOSTON, March 26 – In a move that has sparked outrage among civil rights advocates and student groups, U.S. immigration authorities detained a Turkish doctoral student from Tufts University in Massachusetts, revoking her student visa. The arrest of Rumeysa Ozturk, a Fulbright Scholar, has drawn attention as a possible crackdown on foreign students involved in pro-Palestinian activism.
Arrest Raises Concerns Over Free Speech
Ozturk, 30, was taken into custody on Tuesday evening near her residence in Somerville, Massachusetts. A video of the arrest shows plainclothes and masked agents detaining her as she was reportedly on her way to meet friends for iftar during Ramadan. Authorities claim her visa was revoked due to her alleged support of Hamas, a designated foreign terrorist organization.
A spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security stated that “a visa is a privilege, not a right,” justifying the arrest on national security grounds. However, Ozturk’s lawyer, Mahsa Khanbabai, has strongly denied the allegations, asserting that the government has not presented any evidence linking her client to any criminal activity.
Khanbabai asserted that this situation represents a direct threat to freedom of speech. “Rumeysa has exercised her right to express her views on an international conflict, and now she is being unjustly targeted.”
A History of Advocacy
Ozturk, a student in Tufts’ Child Study and Human Development doctoral program, had been active in student-led efforts advocating for Palestinian rights. Last year, she co-authored an article criticizing the university’s response to calls for divestment from corporations with ties to Israel. Her supporters believe that her political stance played a role in her detention.
“This is an alarming precedent,” said a fellow student and friend of Ozturk. “If students face the threat of deportation for their activism, what does that say about our commitment to free expression?”
Legal Battle and Deportation Concerns
Following the arrest, Khanbabai immediately filed a lawsuit arguing that Ozturk had been unlawfully detained. A federal judge in Boston issued an order requiring Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to notify the court at least 48 hours before moving her out of Massachusetts. However, within a day, Ozturk had already been transported to a detention center in Louisiana, raising concerns about whether authorities had complied with the court’s directive.
“This is deeply concerning,” Khanbabai said. “Despite a court order, the government moved my client without proper notice. This should alarm anyone who believes in due process.”
Political and Public Reactions
The arrest has led to widespread protests in Somerville, with demonstrators carrying signs that read “Defend Student Voices” and “Release Rumeysa Ozturk Now!” Prominent political figures, including Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren, have voiced their concerns over the case.
“This is part of a disturbing trend of suppressing civil liberties,” Warren stated. “Targeting international students for their political beliefs is unacceptable.”
Student groups and human rights organizations have condemned the arrest as part of a broader pattern of intimidation against pro-Palestinian activists. Some have pointed out that many Jewish organizations and other civil rights groups have also criticized the government’s approach, arguing that opposition to Israeli policies should not be conflated with support for terrorism.
Broader Crackdown on International Students
Ozturk is not the only foreign-born student to face legal action in recent weeks. A Columbia University graduate, Mahmoud Khalil, was similarly detained after being accused of supporting Hamas—an allegation he denies. Federal officials have also sought to arrest a South Korean-born Columbia University student who has participated in pro-Palestinian protests, though courts have temporarily blocked that move.
Additionally, a Lebanese doctor who worked at Brown University was recently denied re-entry into the U.S. after immigration officials allegedly found photos on her phone that they claimed were sympathetic to Hezbollah. The doctor, Rasha Alawieh, insisted she had no affiliation with the group, but her deportation proceeded despite protests from academic institutions.
Several universities—including Cornell, Georgetown, and the University of Alabama—have also seen international students targeted for their activism. Critics argue that these actions are part of a broader immigration crackdown that seeks to silence dissenting voices on foreign policy issues.
Turkish Government Responds
The Turkish embassy in Washington has acknowledged Ozturk’s detention, stating that officials are working with U.S. authorities to ensure that she receives legal support. “We are closely monitoring the situation and taking all necessary steps to protect the rights of our citizen,” the embassy said in a statement.
Implications for Academic Freedom
Many fear that these actions set a dangerous precedent for international students in the U.S. Universities have long been spaces for political discourse and activism, but the detention of students based on their political views could deter many from speaking out on global issues.
“The message this sends is chilling,” said an immigration rights advocate. “Are we moving toward a system where students risk deportation for expressing views that the government doesn’t like?”
As Ozturk’s legal team continues to fight for her release, the case is likely to spark further debate about immigration policies, free speech, and academic freedom in the U.S. For now, her supporters remain determined to advocate for her, insisting that no student should be detained for engaging in peaceful activism.