Rumeysa Ozturk, a Turkish citizen and Tufts University doctoral student, is back in Boston after being released from immigration detention. Ozturk was arrested on March 25 in Massachusetts after immigration authorities cancelled her student visa without warning. Her case has attracted more attention than usual because of the political implications of her case and the broader implications on free speech.
After her arrest, Ozturk—like so many other human trafficking victims—was transferred to an immigration detention center in Louisiana. Ozturk remained in that detention center for more than six weeks. While there, she developed life-threatening health impacts, such as escalating asthma attacks. Reports allege that she was deprived of proper medical treatment and kept in “filthy, barbaric conditions.” Her lawyers have characterized her detention as a “politically motivated crackdown on free speech,” linking it to her activism.
Ozturk co-wrote a 300-word opinion piece in her student newspaper. She passionately criticized Tufts University for covering up Tufts complicity through silence at Israel’s actions in Gaza, calling it genocide. This article is thought to have played a role in the retribution she received from immigration authorities. Her plight highlights a rapidly growing pattern of no-platforming and censorship against free speech and dissent under the Trump administration.
Though her case is still ongoing in Vermont, Ozturk’s ongoing legal battle continues as her immigration hearings move forward separately in Louisiana. Even if she can appear remotely in these hearings, the legal challenges create more uncertainty about her future.
In a statement reflecting on her experience, Ozturk said, “In the last 45 days, I lost both my freedom and my education during a crucial time for my doctoral studies.” Still, after all she’s been through, she said she felt assured that justice would be served.
“I have faith in the American system of justice,” – Rumeysa Ozturk
The situation leading up to Ozturk’s detention and ultimate release has raised alarm and condemnation from local and international advocates, scholars, and practitioners. U.S. Representative Ayanna Pressley highlighted the implications of Ozturk’s experience, stating, “Rumeysa’s experience was not just an act of cruelty. It was a deliberate, coordinated attempt to intimidate, to instil fear, to send a chilling message to anyone who dares to speak out against injustice.”
As Ozturk resumes her studies at Tufts University, the community is rallying around her, emphasizing the need for open dialogue and support for free expression. Her case is a powerful reminder of how immigration policy can intersect with academic freedom. It raises profound questions about how the state of the United States treats international students and scholars.
