Tufts University PhD student Rumeysa Ozturk, a Turkish national, was detained by federal authorities on March 25, 2025, while walking near her apartment in Somerville, Massachusetts. Ozturk, a psychology student, was headed to an Iftar dinner when she was arrested by plainclothes immigration officers. Her detention has raised concerns about US immigration practices, academic freedom, and the treatment of international students.
The arrest has become a point of controversy, especially as Ozturk’s legal team and family maintain that her detention is linked to her vocal support of Palestinian rights. As reported by CNN, Ozturk’s arrest was sudden, and she was physically restrained by officers before being moved to a detention center in Louisiana. The exact reasons behind her arrest remain unclear, with federal officials stating only that she allegedly engaged in activities in support of Hamas, though no formal charges have been filed.
Background on Rumeysa Ozturk
Ozturk, 30, has been in the US since 2018 on a valid F-1 visa, which permits international students to pursue full-time academic studies. She won a Fulbright scholarship and completed her master’s degree at Columbia University before starting her PhD at Tufts. As reported by CNN, Ozturk’s brother, Asim, mentioned that she was working on her dissertation when she was detained, with about 10 months remaining to complete her doctorate.
Ozturk had been involved in student activism, including co-writing an op-ed in March 2024 criticizing Tufts University’s response to a student government’s call for divestment from companies linked to Israel. In the op-ed, she condemned Israel’s actions in Gaza, calling them “credible accusations of deliberate starvation and indiscriminate slaughter of Palestinian civilians.” Her brother believes that her detention is politically motivated, suggesting that her support for Palestine led to her being targeted by US immigration authorities.
The arrest and aftermath
On the evening of March 25, surveillance footage obtained by the Muslim Justice League shows six plainclothes officers surrounding Ozturk as she walked alone. In the video, she is seen being restrained and escorted into an SUV after officers identified themselves. According to her lawyer, Masha Khanbabai, Ozturk was not allowed to speak with a lawyer for over 24 hours after her arrest. She was later transferred to an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Louisiana.
Her detention follows similar arrests of other international students involved in activism. Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian activist and Columbia University graduate, was also arrested earlier this month, as reported by CNN. Both cases are part of a broader trend of heightened scrutiny on foreign students, particularly those engaged in political activism.
Tufts University’s response
Tufts University President Sunil Kumar expressed concern over the arrest, stating that the university had no prior knowledge of Ozturk’s detention. As quoted by CNN, he emphasized that Tufts was doing everything in its power to support its international community. Protests were held at the university on March 26, with hundreds of students rallying in support of Ozturk, criticizing the US government’s treatment of foreign students and activists.
Ozturk’s family and legal team are seeking her immediate release, arguing that her detention violates her due process rights. The Turkish government is also involved, with consular services working to provide legal support, as reported by CNN.
