1. United States
2. Fla.
3. Letter

I am writing to express my outrage and deep concern over the abduction of Tufts University PhD student Rumeysa Ozturk by masked ICE agents on March 25, 2025. This horrifying incident, captured on video, shows masked federal agents ambushing Ms. Ozturk, a Turkish national with a valid F-1 visa, without due process or clear charges. She was forcibly detained and subsequently transferred to an ICE facility in Louisiana—defying a court order that she remain in Massachusetts. This is a blatant violation of constitutional rights and an alarming escalation of authoritarian tactics. Ms. Ozturk appears to have been targeted for her pro-Palestinian advocacy, making her detention not only unjust but also a direct attack on free speech and civil liberties. The Department of Homeland Security has provided no evidence for its claims against her, raising serious questions about the motives behind this action. Are we living in a police state where individuals can be "disappeared" for their political views? What crimes has Ms. Ozturk committed that warrant such extreme measures? If this can happen to her—a peaceful student and scholar—who is next? Me? You? This is not the America we believe in. I demand that you take immediate action to: • Investigate the legality of Ms. Ozturk’s detention and the apparent disregard for judicial orders. • Advocate for her immediate release and ensure she receives due process. • Speak out against these authoritarian practices that undermine our democracy and fundamental freedoms. The silence of Congress in the face of such abuses is unacceptable. I urge you to stand up for justice and protect the rights of all individuals in this country, regardless of their immigration status or political beliefs.