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Turkish PhD Student Released from ICE Detention After Judge Cites Violations of Rights

Rümeysa Öztürk returns to Massachusetts on bail as legal battles over her detention and deportation continue, raising concerns about free speech and due process.

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Protesters gather for rally calling for Rümeysa Öztürk’s release in Burlington, Vermont, on April 14, 2025.
People gather for a rally in support of Tufts University student Rümeysa Öztürk and Columbia University student activist Mohsen Mahdawi in Foley Square, on May 6, 2025, in New York City.
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Overview

  • Rümeysa Öztürk, a Tufts University PhD student, was released from ICE detention on May 9 after a Vermont judge ruled her detention violated due process and First Amendment rights.
  • Her arrest in March followed the Trump administration's revocation of her visa, citing an op-ed she co-authored supporting Palestinian human rights, with no evidence of criminal activity presented.
  • Öztürk suffered worsening asthma attacks during her six-week detention in Louisiana, highlighting concerns about inadequate medical care in ICE facilities.
  • She returned to Massachusetts on May 10 and spoke at a press conference alongside Sen. Ed Markey and Rep. Ayanna Pressley, who emphasized the broader implications for free speech and dissent.
  • The Justice Department has stated it will continue pursuing her deportation, with a Vermont court hearing scheduled for May 22 to address her legal challenge.