Turkish PhD Student Detained in Boston, Sparks Outcry Over Immigration Tactics Under Trump
March 26, 2025
Advocates emphasize the need to stand up for the rights of all individuals, including international students, and condemn the normalization of government overreach.
Tufts University has reiterated its commitment to supporting international students while complying with immigration laws, amid concerns raised by the incident.
Rumeysa Ozturk, a 30-year-old doctoral student from Turkey at Tufts University, was detained by federal police in Boston, raising concerns about the treatment of politically vocal immigrants under the Trump administration.
Her lawyer, Mahsa Khanbabai, reported that no charges have been filed against Ozturk, and her current whereabouts remain unknown.
This incident is part of a troubling trend of increased immigration enforcement activities across the United States, alarming many communities.
Ozturk's detention highlights ongoing tensions surrounding immigration policies, particularly enforcement actions against individuals perceived as threats.
The arrest has sparked significant concerns regarding civil liberties, particularly the due process rights of non-citizens in the U.S.
Local residents expressed shock and fear over the arrest, likening it to a kidnapping and voicing concerns about the implications for their community.
Muslim advocacy groups condemned the arrest as an abduction and called for Ozturk's immediate release, highlighting the chilling effect on the community.
Critics accuse the government of conflating political dissent with support for terrorism, threatening free speech rights.
Academic organizations have filed lawsuits against the Trump administration, arguing that the targeting of foreign academics violates First Amendment rights.
Requests for comments from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) regarding the case have gone unanswered, further complicating the situation.
Summary based on 115 sources
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Sources

The New York Times • Mar 27, 2025
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