Federal Agents Detain Tufts University PhD Student Rumeysa Ozturk
As Rumeysa Ozturk, a Turkish national and PhD student at Tufts University, made her way to an Iftar dinner in Somerville, Massachusetts, she was unexpectedly detained by federal agents near her residence. The incident has sparked widespread concern, particularly because no formal charges have been filed against her.
Who is Rumeysa Ozturk?
Ozturk was pursuing her doctoral studies at Tufts University under a valid F-1 student visa. She had actively engaged in academic discussions and, in March 2024, co-authored an op-ed in the university’s newspaper, criticizing Tufts’ response to pro-Palestinian activism.
University officials have denied any prior involvement in her arrest, stating that no information was shared with federal agencies before the incident. Tufts President Sunil Kumar expressed concerns about her detainment and mentioned efforts to verify whether her visa had been revoked.
Both the Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell and university representatives have raised alarms about the case, particularly following the release of arrest footage.