A federal judge has ordered the immediate release of Rumeysa Ozturk, a Turkish Ph.D. student at Tufts University, ruling her detention over a pro-Palestinian op-ed violated constitutional rights. The Trump administration’s attempt to deport her remains ongoing.
Federal Judge Orders Immediate Release of Tufts Ph.D. Student
Court Rules Detention Violated Free Speech
U.S. District Judge William Sessions III ruled on Friday that Rumeysa Ozturk, a Turkish doctoral student at Tufts University, was unlawfully detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in March. Her arrest came after she authored an op-ed critical of Israel, an act the court deemed to be protected speech under the First Amendment. Sessions concluded that the detention could suppress free expression among noncitizens and ordered her immediate release.
Targeted Over Political Expression
Free Speech Concerns Amid Federal Crackdown
Judge Sessions, appointed by former President Bill Clinton, emphasized that Ozturk’s arrest lacked substantive legal basis beyond her expression in the op-ed. He strongly criticized the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown, suggesting it risked chilling speech among millions of noncitizens. Ozturk’s case is one of several involving international students who have criticized Israel and faced visa revocations or detentions under current federal policies.
Health and Due Process Issues Raised
Asthma Condition Worsened in Detention
Ozturk, who was detained in Louisiana, testified virtually during the hearing. She spoke about the deterioration of her health—specifically her chronic asthma—while in ICE custody. Judge Sessions noted that this health risk, combined with due process concerns, made her ongoing detention unacceptable. He asked to be notified as soon as she is physically released.
Visa Revocation Cited as Foreign Policy Justification
Rubio: Presence Contrary to U.S. Interests
Secretary of State Marco Rubio revoked Ozturk’s student visa, arguing her presence in the country contradicted American foreign policy interests. The Trump administration has increasingly cited similar justifications in a broader policy trend targeting students involved in pro-Palestinian activism. These moves have drawn national criticism from civil rights groups and student organizations.
Public Outcry and Support
Protesters Rally at Courthouse
Dozens of demonstrators gathered outside the federal courthouse in Burlington, Vermont, waving Palestinian flags and expressing support for Ozturk. The judge described Ozturk as someone focused on academic work and community compassion. He rejected calls to limit her travel, stating there was no evidence she posed a flight risk.
Legal Battle Not Over Yet
Deportation Efforts to Continue in Immigration Court
Although Judge Sessions ordered her immediate release from custody, he clarified that the ruling did not stop the Trump administration’s ongoing deportation case against Ozturk. That matter will continue in immigration court, and her legal team is expected to challenge the grounds of removal.
Broader Context of Student Detentions
Similar Cases Emerging Nationwide
Just days earlier, another Vermont-based federal judge ordered the release of Mohsen Mahdawi, a Palestinian student at Columbia University, also detained after participating in protests. These cases highlight a growing legal and political battle over student activism and immigration enforcement during President Trump’s current term.
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