A federal judge in Vermont ordered the release of Rumeysa Ozturk, a Tufts University doctoral student, who had been held by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) since March. The judge said there was no real evidence to justify her detention, apart from an op-ed article she co-wrote.
Ozturk, a Turkish national and former Fulbright scholar, had her student visa revoked by the Trump administration, leading to her arrest on March 25, 2025, near her home in Massachusetts.
Judge Questions Government’s Motive
U.S. District Judge William Sessions, while granting her bail, strongly criticized the government’s case.
“There is no evidence here as to the motivation, absent consideration of the op-ed,” said the judge.
He also noted that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) had not provided any proof that Ozturk posed a threat, despite being asked to submit evidence weeks ago.
Why Was She Detained?
According to DHS, Ozturk’s visa was revoked due to her pro-Palestinian activism. A DHS spokesperson claimed she was involved in activities supporting Hamas, a U.S.-designated terrorist organization, though no such evidence was presented in court.
Ozturk’s legal team insists that her arrest was based solely on her political expression, particularly an op-ed published in her university’s student newspaper. In that article, she criticized Tufts University’s stance on a student senate resolution calling for divestment from companies linked to Israel and for acknowledgment of Palestinian suffering.
Testimony from Detention
Ozturk testified via Zoom from a Louisiana detention center, wearing a hijab and orange jumpsuit. She described her academic work in child development, her involvement in humanitarian efforts, and an event she organized titled “collective grieving for children experiencing war and conflicts” — which included children from Gaza, Israel, Ukraine, and other conflict zones.
She spoke emotionally about the physical and mental toll her detention had taken. She shared that she had suffered 12 asthma attacks, received delayed medical treatment, and lived in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions.
Judge Praises Her Character
Judge Sessions praised Ozturk’s character, noting several declarations submitted by her supporters:
“This is a woman who is totally committed to her academic career… who has no criminal record, no history of violence, and has been involved only in peaceful, academic and community-focused work.”
He denied a request by the government for a delay that would allow an appeal and instructed ICE to submit terms for her release immediately.
Political Reaction
Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the visa revocation, stating that the administration had withdrawn visas from over 300 foreign students linked to pro-Palestinian activism that, according to him, included vandalism and disruption on campuses.
“A visa is a privilege, not a right,” Rubio said.
Ozturk plans to return to Tufts University, where housing has been arranged, and resume work on her Ph.D. in child development. Her legal case is ongoing, but for now, she is out on bail and able to continue her education.