Overview

• Rumeysa Ozturk, a Turkish PhD student at Tufts University, was detained by plainclothes ICE agents in Massachusetts and transferred to Louisiana, despite a federal judge's order prohibiting her removal from the state.
• The Trump administration has revoked approximately 300 student visas, citing alleged support for Hamas, though critics argue the claims are unsubstantiated and target pro-Palestinian activism.
• A viral video of Ozturk's arrest has drawn international attention, with lawmakers and advocacy groups condemning the administration for violating due process and suppressing free speech.
• Ozturk's legal team and supporters assert her detention is based on First Amendment-protected activities, including co-authoring a 2024 op-ed critical of Israel's actions in Gaza.
• Democratic lawmakers have demanded answers from DHS and ICE, questioning the legal basis for Ozturk's arrest and raising concerns about broader efforts to intimidate activists and Muslim students.