Tufts PhD Student Arrested by Immigration Authorities: University Seeks Answers
A Tufts University PhD student, Rumeysa Ozturk, was arrested by U.S. immigration authorities near Boston on Tuesday night, sparking concerns and raising questions about her visa status. Ozturk, a Turkish national, was reportedly maintaining a valid F-1 student visa when she was detained by Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agents in Somerville, Massachusetts.
Uncertainty Surrounding Arrest
Ozturk’s lawyer, Mahsa Khanbabai, stated that her client was en route to meet friends for Iftar, the meal to break the daily fast during Ramadan, when she was taken into custody. Currently, her whereabouts remain unknown, and attempts to contact her have been unsuccessful.
“No charges have been filed against Rumeysa to date that we are aware of. I filed a habeas petition requesting that she not be moved out of the District of Massachusetts, which was granted by Judge Indira Talwani last night,” said Khanbabai.
University's Response and Visa Status Termination
Tufts University expressed its concern over the incident and emphasized that it had no prior knowledge of the arrest. In an email to students, the university stated that it did not share any information with federal authorities and that the arrest did not take place on university property.
“The university had no pre-knowledge of this incident and did not share any information with federal authorities prior to the event,” Tufts University clarified. “From what we have been told subsequently, the student’s visa status has been terminated, and we seek to confirm whether that information is true.”
Tufts further noted that its Office of University Counsel would assist in connecting Ozturk with external legal resources should she request such support.
ICE Confirms Detainment
ABC News confirmed that Ozturk is listed as “in custody” in the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) database. However, the agency has yet to release further details regarding the circumstances of her arrest or the reasoning behind her visa status termination.
Legal and Humanitarian Concerns
The arrest has raised concerns within the academic and immigrant communities, especially considering Ozturk’s reportedly valid visa status. Immigration experts suggest that visa terminations can sometimes occur due to administrative errors, and the lack of clear communication from ICE has left many questioning the legitimacy of her detention.
As more details emerge, legal representatives and university officials continue to seek clarity on Ozturk’s status, emphasizing the importance of due process and transparency in immigration enforcement.
The arrest of Rumeysa Ozturk has drawn significant attention, highlighting issues surrounding student visas and immigration enforcement. Tufts University and Ozturk’s legal team remain committed to uncovering the facts behind her detainment and ensuring that her rights are upheld.
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