1. United States
2. Mich.
3. Letter

I am disturbed and horrified by the video footage of the recent detention of Rumeysa Ozturk, a doctoral student at Tufts University. Following renewed scrutiny of her public advocacy for Palestinian rights—including co-authoring a published op-ed in 2024—federal agents apprehended her outside her home in Somerville, Massachusetts. This wasn’t a routine immigration action. It appears to be retaliation for political speech protected by the First Amendment. Even more troubling, she was removed from the state in direct violation of a Massachusetts court order. No federal agency has the authority to punish speech or defy judicial rulings. This case demands immediate congressional oversight. You have a duty to ensure the Constitution is upheld and abuses of power are not allowed to stand.