Tufts Student Detained Amid Federal Crackdown on Immigration and Activism

BOSTON (AP) — Rumeysa Ozturk, a 30-year-old doctoral student at Tufts University, has been detained by federal agents in Massachusetts without explanation, according to her attorney. Ozturk was taken into custody by U.S. Department of Homeland Security agents on the night of March 25, 2025, shortly after she left her home in Somerville to meet friends. Her lawyer, Mahsa Khanbabai, detailed the incident in a petition filed in Boston federal court.

Ozturk’s detention has drawn significant attention, sparking protests in Somerville as hundreds gathered on March 26 to demand her release. The gathering was not just about Ozturk but also a larger demonstration against what many see as excessive federal actions against immigrants who express political opinions.

According to government officials, Ozturk was moved to an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention center in Louisiana before her legal representatives could intervene. In a court document, government lawyers claimed she was detained following an investigation suggesting she had participated in activities supporting Hamas, which they labeled a terrorist organization. However, they did not provide evidence substantiating this claim.

Khanbabai emphasized that no formal charges have been filed against her. She filed a petition seeking Ozturk’s release, which was met with round-the-clock efforts from supporters and advocates. Meanwhile, U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani issued a temporary order halting any further transfers of Ozturk out of Massachusetts, requiring the government to justify her detention within the week.

Ozturk’s friends, including Jennifer Hoyden, argue that her political activities have been minimal. They point out that her public involvement included co-authoring an op-ed in The Tufts Daily advocating for the university to acknowledge Palestinian issues and demanding the school cut ties with Israel. “The only thing I know of that Rumeysa organized was a Thanksgiving potluck,” Hoyden noted.

The events surrounding Ozturk’s detention follow a broader pattern of U.S. policies under the Trump administration that have increasingly targeted students and activists supporting Palestinian rights. Secretary of State Marco Rubio addressed media on the situation, saying the administration had revoked visas of individuals engaged in what he termed “anti-American” activities.

International reactions have surfaced as well, amid escalating concerns regarding treatment of immigrant populations advocating for political reform. Recently, civil rights advocates noted a shocking increase in deportation cases involving defendants with little to no prior criminal history. This includes incidents involving students and scholars who have publicly criticized U.S. policies.

Ozturk was allegedly detained while participating in an iftar meal, a traditional meal to break the fast during Ramadan, with friends. The political climate surrounding the Israel-Palestine conflict and its impact on civil rights within the U.S. has led to an outcry among civil liberties groups, urging for protecting students who engage in political speech.

As the legal battle unfolds, demonstrations are expected to continue, highlighting the complex intersection of immigration law and free speech rights in the United States. Meanwhile, Tufts University President Sunil Kumar expressed hopes for Ozturk’s rights to due process to be observed. For now, Ozturk remains at an ICE facility in Louisiana, as supporters call for her immediate release.