1. United States
2. Maine
3. Letter

Detention Without Transparency On Tuesday, March 25, 2025, Rumeysa Ozturk, a 30-year-old Turkish national, Fulbright scholar, and Ph.D. student in philosophy at Tufts University, was apprehended near her home in Somerville, MA. Security footage reportedly shows masked individuals in plain clothes seizing her phone and backpack, handcuffing her, and escorting her into an unmarked vehicle. When questioned, they identified themselves only as “the police,” though their faces remained covered. These circumstances raise serious concerns about due process and accountability. Allegations Without Evidence The Department of Homeland Security has alleged that Ms. Ozturk supported Hamas, leading to the revocation of her student visa. However, no specific evidence has been made public. Tufts University has stated it had no prior knowledge of the incident and did not provide information to federal authorities. The lack of transparency surrounding these claims is deeply troubling. Possible Violation of Federal Court Order Ms. Ozturk was transferred to the South Louisiana ICE Processing Center shortly after her detention. This appears to have violated a federal court order requiring DHS and ICE to provide 48 hours’ notice before moving her out of Massachusetts. A federal judge has since ordered DHS to produce her in court to justify her detention. Lack of Access to Legal Counsel Ms. Ozturk’s attorney has reportedly been unable to contact her since the time of her detention. This raises additional due process concerns and the need for urgent oversight. Request for Immediate Investigation Given the serious nature of these issues—including possible violations of constitutional rights, judicial authority, and academic freedom—I would appreciate it if you would let me know Miss Ozturk’s current status and steps that are being taken to ensure her legal rights are protected.