There Is No Evidence: Judge Orders Release of Tufts Student Detained Over Op-Ed

Published: Friday, May 9, 2025 at 7:24 pm

**Tufts Student Released After Detention Over Pro-Palestine Op-Ed**

A federal judge has ordered the immediate release of Rmeysa Ztrk, a Tufts University PhD student, who was detained for six weeks after writing a pro-Palestine op-ed. The judge, citing a lack of evidence, ruled that the government failed to demonstrate Ztrk posed any risk, stating, "There is no evidence here."

Ztrk, a Turkish citizen studying in the US on a student visa, was arrested near Boston in late March by federal agents and held in Louisiana. Her detention followed an op-ed she co-authored criticizing Tufts University's response to a student government resolution regarding the Palestinian genocide. The Trump administration, under Secretary of State Marco Rubio, revoked her visa, claiming her residency was contrary to US foreign policy interests and that she supported Hamas, though no evidence was provided.

The judge's decision highlighted the lack of evidence supporting the government's claims and acknowledged Ztrk's strong case of a constitutional violation due to her speech. The judge also noted that her continued detention could stifle free speech for other non-citizen residents. While Ztrk has been released on her own recognizance, the administration is expected to continue its efforts to deport her through immigration court. The case has garnered significant attention, with support from prominent figures like Senators Elizabeth Warren and Representative Ayanna Pressley.

BNN's Perspective: This case raises serious questions about the balance between national security concerns and the protection of free speech. While the government has a responsibility to address potential threats, the lack of evidence in this instance, coupled with the targeting of a student for expressing her views, is concerning. It's crucial to ensure that political expression, even if controversial, is not used as a pretext for suppressing dissent or unfairly targeting individuals.

Keywords: Rmeysa Ztrk, Tufts University, pro-Palestine, op-ed, detention, release, federal judge, Marco Rubio, visa revocation, free speech, constitutional violation, deportation, Trump administration, Hamas, Palestinian genocide, student visa, Vermont, Elizabeth Warren, Ayanna Pressley.

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