SOMERVILLE, Mass. — A Turkish doctoral student at Tufts University has been detained by U.S. Department of Homeland Security agents, prompting concerns over her legal rights, her attorney reported.
Rumeysa Ozturk, 30, was reportedly stopped shortly after leaving her home on Tuesday night. Her attorney, Mahsa Khanbabai, highlighted the lack of explanation for her detention in a legal petition filed in Boston federal court.
Video evidence shows multiple individuals, faces concealed, removing Ozturk’s phone as she protests and is handcuffed.
The assailants identified themselves as law enforcement in the footage.
Khanbabai stated that Ozturk was meeting friends for iftar, the meal that breaks the fast during Ramadan, at the time of her arrest.
“We do not know her current location and have been unable to reach her. As far as we know, no charges have been filed against Rumeysa,” Khanbabai said. Ozturk possesses a valid visa permitting her studies in the U.S.
Witnesses reported feeling disturbed by the incident, which occurred in a residential area around 5:30 p.m.
“It resembled a kidnapping,” remarked Michael Mathis, a local software engineer whose security footage recorded the arrest, commenting on the masked figures and unmarked vehicles involved.
Tufts University President Sunil Kumar acknowledged the situation, stating that they were informed of Ozturk’s arrest and that her visa has been revoked.
Kumar emphasized that the university had no prior knowledge of the event and did not collaborate with federal authorities beforehand.
Although Kumar did not disclose Ozturk’s identity, university representatives confirmed her status as a graduate student.
In a public statement, U.S. Representative Ayanna Pressley condemned the arrest as a grave infringement on Ozturk’s constitutional rights, calling for her immediate release.
Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell described the video of the arrest as “disturbing,” characterizing it as an intimidation tactic targeting individuals based on their political views.
U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani has ordered the government to provide reasons for Ozturk’s detention by Friday and has mandated that she not be relocated outside the District of Massachusetts without prior notice.
As of Wednesday evening, Ozturk was reported to be detained at a facility in Louisiana.
A senior DHS official confirmed Ozturk’s detention and visa revocation, alleging her involvement with activities supportive of Hamas, which the agency labels a terrorist organization.
Last March, Ozturk was one of several students who criticized their university’s response to a community union resolution calling for acknowledgment of alleged human rights violations against Palestinians.
In recent months, numerous students and faculty members have faced visa revocations following their participation in demonstrations in support of Palestinians.
A protest occurred later Wednesday, with demonstrators demanding Ozturk’s release while criticizing political parties for their treatment of immigrants and their handling of Palestinian issues.
Attendees chanted “Free Rumeysa Ozturk now” while holding signs and flags advocating for her release.
Local business owner Zoi Andalcio expressed his outrage over the ongoing situation surrounding Ozturk’s arrest.
Before attending Tufts, Ozturk earned a master’s in Developmental Psychology from another prestigious institution.
Friends and colleagues have described Ozturk as a dedicated researcher with no history of extremist behavior or beliefs.
The Turkish Embassy has stated it is actively monitoring the situation and engaging with U.S. authorities to ensure Ozturk’s rights are protected.
