1. United States
2. Mass.
3. Letter

Rumeysa Ozturk, a PhD student at Tufts University, was suddenly arrested and detained by federal agents without any charges filed against her. Video footage shows plainclothes officers physically restraining her on a public sidewalk without properly identifying themselves as law enforcement. After being held for over 24 hours with no access to legal counsel or her medications, including for her asthma, Ozturk was transferred to an ICE detention facility in Louisiana, far from her home and legal representatives in Massachusetts. This disturbing sequence of events raises serious due process concerns and appears to be part of a broader crackdown on foreign students voicing political views, particularly regarding Israeli-Palestinian issues. I urge you to take immediate action to ensure Ozturk is afforded all legal protections, including access to her lawyers, release from detention on reasonable terms, and the ability to respond to any allegations through proper judicial proceedings. Imprisoning someone thousands of miles away without charges or trial is an unacceptable violation of civil liberties. Protecting freedom of speech and following constitutional protocols must be prioritized over any perceived policy objectives regarding student speech. I request a full investigation into Ozturk's arrest and detention, as these actions send a chilling message about academic freedom and human rights in America.