1. United States
2. Mass.
3. Letter

It is highly concerning that Rumeysa Ozturk, a PhD student at Tufts University, has been abruptly arrested and detained by immigration agents without any formal charges or due process. The video footage of her arrest is disturbing, showing plainclothes officers grabbing and restraining her without identifying themselves as law enforcement. Furthermore, transferring her to a detention facility in Louisiana, far away from her university and legal representation, poses serious obstacles to her ability to defend herself. Ozturk's alleged support for Hamas appears to be the justification provided, but no concrete evidence has been presented. Expressing opinions critical of policies towards Palestine should not be grounds for deportation from the United States, where freedom of speech is a constitutional right. Universities must be spaces where diverse viewpoints can be voiced and debated openly. I urge you to intervene in this case to ensure Ozturk's constitutional rights are protected. She should be released from detention immediately and allowed to continue her studies at Tufts University without fear of retribution for exercising free speech. The concerning pattern of the administration targeting international students and revoking their visas over political views cannot be allowed to continue unchecked. Due process and transparency must be upheld.