Tufts University student Rumeysa Ozturk, originally from Turkey, is currently being held at an immigration facility in Louisiana. She is seeking release after being detained for allegedly co-writing an op-ed piece in the student newspaper criticizing the university’s response to demands made by student activists. A federal judge has ruled that she must be returned to New England by May 1 for a hearing on her detention.
U.S. District Judge William Sessions has set a bail hearing for May 9 and a hearing on the petition’s merits for May 22. Ozturk’s lawyers argue that her detention violates her constitutional rights, including free speech and due process. The Department of Homeland Security claims that investigations have found Ozturk’s activities in support of Hamas, a designated terrorist group.
Ozturk was detained by immigration officials in March while walking in Sommerville, Massachusetts. She was subsequently moved through multiple states before ending up in a detention center in Basile, Louisiana. Ozturk’s lawyers initially filed a petition in Massachusetts but were unable to speak to her until after 24 hours of her detention.
The judge’s ruling asserts that the case will proceed in his court, with Ozturk physically present for all proceedings. He plans to expedite the bail hearing and finalize the habeas petition due to the gravity of Ozturk’s claims. The ruling comes amidst a trend of individuals with ties to American universities facing visa revocations or entry denials for expressing support for Palestinians or attending demonstrations.
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