Tufts University Rallies Behind Turkish Doctoral Student Detained by ICE, Sparking Legal Battle Over Immigration Enforcement and Student Rights

A legal dispute has emerged involving a Turkish doctoral student at Tufts University, Rümeysa Öztürk, who was taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) authorities. The situation has drawn significant attention, particularly from Tufts University, which has publicly supported Öztürk and petitioned for her release. The case highlights ongoing tensions surrounding the treatment of foreign students in the United States.

According to a filing by the Justice Department, Öztürk was transferred to an ICE detention center in Louisiana, despite a federal judge’s order for her to remain in Massachusetts. The government argued that the transfer occurred before the order was issued, thus challenging the jurisdiction of U.S. District Judge Denise Casper to hear the case. This development has prompted legal proceedings to determine the validity of the transfer and the appropriate jurisdiction for the case.

Tufts University has taken a strong stance in support of Öztürk, a Fulbright Scholar, by petitioning a federal judge for her release. The university’s public declaration of support is one of the most notable instances of an educational institution opposing the Trump administration’s policies on foreign student arrests. The university’s actions underscore the broader concerns within the academic community regarding the impact of immigration enforcement on international students.

A hearing is scheduled to take place in the U.S. District Court for Massachusetts, where the legal arguments surrounding Öztürk’s detention and transfer will be examined. Attorneys for Öztürk have filed a habeas petition to prevent her removal from Massachusetts and the United States. The outcome of this hearing could have significant implications for Öztürk’s future and for the broader discourse on immigration enforcement and foreign students in the U.S.