1. United States
2. Mass.
3. Letter

The detention of Rumeysa Ozturk, a Tufts University doctoral student and Fulbright scholar, by masked federal agents is an alarming violation of civil liberties and academic freedom. Footage shows Ozturk being forcibly detained on a public street, her belongings seized, and her being placed in handcuffs despite committing no crime. This heavy-handed tactic against a student engaged in pro-Palestinian activism on campus is a direct assault on the right to free speech and political expression. Ozturk's alleged support for Hamas, a designated terrorist organization, is unsubstantiated by evidence and does not justify her arbitrary detention and denial of due process. This administration's increasing crackdown on pro-Palestinian voices and revocation of visas of foreign nationals aligned with this cause is a disturbing overreach that undermines democratic values. As a nation built by immigrants, such discriminatory actions targeting particular viewpoints are antithetical to American ideals. I urge you to take immediate action to secure Rumeysa Ozturk's release from the South Louisiana ICE processing center where she is currently being unlawfully detained. Her deportation or continued confinement would be a stain on America's commitment to liberty.