A Tufts University PhD student, identified as Rumeysa Ozturk, was arrested by immigration authorities outside of Boston on the evening of March 25th. According to both the university and Ozturk's lawyer, Mahsa Khanbabai, the student is a Turkish national who was maintaining valid F-1 visa status as she pursued her doctoral studies at the institution.
Rumeysa Ozturk was reportedly on her way to meet friends to break her Ramadan fast when she was detained by agents from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) near her residence in Somerville, Massachusetts. As of now, her legal team has expressed concern, stating, "We are unaware of her whereabouts and have not been able to contact her." To date, there have been no charges filed against Ozturk, according to her lawyer.
Khanbabai has filed a habeas petition requesting that Rumeysa Ozturk not be moved out of the District of Massachusetts. This petition was granted by Judge Indira Talwani on the same evening of her arrest. The situation has raised significant concern among her peers and faculty at Tufts University.
In an email sent to students on Tuesday, Tufts University acknowledged that they were informed of the termination of Ozturk's visa status and are actively seeking more information regarding the circumstances surrounding her detention. The university emphasized that it had no prior knowledge of the arrest and did not communicate any information to federal authorities before the incident occurred. Furthermore, it was clarified that the location of the arrest is not associated with Tufts University.
As the university continues to gather information, they reiterated their commitment to assisting Ozturk. The Office of University Counsel is prepared to connect the student with external legal resources should she request assistance. The university's statement concluded with an assurance that they are working diligently to confirm the details about the cause and circumstances of the student's apprehension.
As the situation unfolds, Tufts University and Ozturk's legal representatives are advocating for her rights and ensuring that she receives the necessary support during this challenging time. The university community remains concerned for Ozturk's well-being and is hopeful for a resolution that will allow her to continue her academic journey.
