IA Welt

The arrest of Rumeysa Ozturk, a 30-year-old Turkish doctoral student at Tufts University, has sparked widespread outrage and debate. Ozturk, who was in the U.S. on a valid student visa, was detained on March 25, 2025, by masked federal agents from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), reportedly without clear charges or explanation. Key Details of the Incident: Arrest Circumstances: Surveillance footage shows six plainclothes agents surrounding Ozturk near her campus in Somerville, Massachusetts. They forcibly took her phone and backpack while covering their faces with masks. Witnesses described the arrest as aggressive and likened it to a "kidnapping" due to the lack of identification by the agents125. Allegations: DHS accuses Ozturk of engaging in activities supporting Hamas. However, no specific evidence has been presented. Her supporters argue that she is being targeted for political reasons, particularly for an op-ed she wrote criticizing Israel26. Legal Developments: A federal judge has temporarily halted her deportation pending a review of her habeas corpus petition. Ozturk’s lawyer revealed that she was transferred to a detention center in Louisiana without prior notice, despite a judge's order to keep her in Massachusetts35. Reactions: Public Outcry: The arrest has been condemned as an attack on free speech. Students at Tufts University staged protests, and Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell criticized the federal government for using intimidation tactics against a legally residing individual23. Broader Implications: Critics see this as part of a larger pattern targeting international students with pro-Palestinian views. Ozturk’s family maintains she has no history of activism or unlawful behavior36. The case has raised serious questions about due process, freedom of expression, and the treatment of immigrants in the U.S.