Tufts University Student Romeysa Ozturk Must Be Released From Detention, Judge Rules

Published: Friday, May 9, 2025 at 8:04 pm

**Tufts Student Rumeysa Ozturk Ordered Released From Detention After Visa Revocation**

A federal judge has ordered the release of Rumeysa Ozturk, a Turkish doctoral student at Tufts University, from immigration detention. The ruling, delivered on May 9th by U.S. District Judge William Sessions in Burlington, Vermont, comes after Ozturk's visa was revoked and she was taken into custody over six weeks ago. Ozturk, who had been held in a Louisiana detention facility since late March, was granted bail.

The case has garnered significant attention, particularly given the context of the Trump administration's efforts to address campus activism related to the war in Gaza. Ozturk's arrest on March 25th, captured on security footage, involved masked plainclothes officers near her home in Somerville, Massachusetts. She was initially held in facilities in Massachusetts and Vermont before being transferred to an ICE facility in Louisiana.

During the hearing, Ozturk, appearing remotely, reported experiencing multiple asthma attacks while in custody, citing the stressful environment and constant triggers. She stated she had suffered about a dozen attacks since being detained, a significant increase compared to the previous two years.

The revocation of Ozturk's visa was attributed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio to her alleged involvement in activities such as vandalizing universities and harassing students. A Homeland Security spokesperson emphasized that student visas are a privilege, not a right, and that the administration is committed to enforcing immigration laws. The Department of State did not respond to requests for comment. This case highlights the complexities of immigration enforcement and the impact on international students.

Keywords: Rumeysa Ozturk, Tufts University, immigration detention, visa revocation, federal judge, release order, asthma attacks, campus activism, war in Gaza, Marco Rubio, Homeland Security, international student, ICE, Massachusetts, Vermont, Louisiana, Trump administration, student visa, detention, arrest

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