1. United States
2. Mo.
3. Letter

ICE's arrest of Rumeysa Ozturk, a Tufts University doctoral student from Turkey, for her speech supporting Palestinian rights is an unacceptable overreach and violation of free speech. As a non-citizen student, she is being targeted and having her visa revoked simply for voicing her political views through an op-ed, which should be protected expression. This follows a pattern of the Trump administration intimidating international students and faculty for their activism, creating a climate of fear on campuses. Deporting Ozturk and others for their beliefs runs counter to American values of free speech and open discourse. I urge you to condemn ICE's actions, ensure Ozturk's release, and protect the right of all to voice perspectives - including criticism of US policies - without facing retaliation or deportation threats. Curtailing speech violates fundamental rights and harms academic freedom.