Rumeysa Ozturk, a Turkish PhD student at Tufts, was on her way to break her Ramadan fast with friends when she was suddenly intercepted by six masked DHS agents on a quiet street in Somerville. Surveillance footage shows them surrounding her, taking her phone and backpack, and forcing her into an unmarked SUV.
Who Is Rumeysa Ozturk?
Ozturk is a Fulbright Scholar pursuing her PhD in Child Study and Human Development at Tufts University. Her attorney, Mahsa Khanbabai, confirmed to CNN that Ozturk has lived in the U.S. legally for several years on an F-1 student visa. Prior to Tufts, she earned a master's degree from Columbia University’s Teachers College. She is a practicing Muslim, and on the evening of her arrest, she was heading out for iftar—a meal breaking the daily Ramadan fast. Ozturk had also co-authored a 2024 op-ed in The Tufts Daily, criticizing the university’s ties to Israel and referring to the situation in Gaza as “genocide.” That article, supporters say, has placed her squarely in the crosshairs of recent federal crackdowns. Her attorney describes her as a “law-abiding” scholar. DHS, however, alleges she supported Hamas.
What Happened? A Street Arrest Captured on Camera
The arrest occurred around 5:30 PM EDT on March 25. Ozturk was just two blocks from the Tufts campus when six plainclothes, masked agents confronted her video released by the Muslim Justice League, the agents seized her phone and backpack, cuffed her, and forced her into a black SUV without presenting a warrant or stating charges. She screamed during the arrest; a nearby resident was heard yelling, “Why are you hiding your faces?”. Despite a federal judge’s order prohibiting her transfer out of state without notice, Ozturk was transported 1,400 miles away to the South Louisiana ICE Processing Center in Basile by Wednesday night.
Timeline of Events: A Rapid Escalation
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March 25, 5:30 PM EDT: Ozturk arrested in Somerville, MA
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March 25, 7:07 PM EDT: Tufts President Sunil Kumar notifies campus of visa termination
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March 26, evening: ICE confirms Ozturk’s presence in Louisiana detention facility
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March 26, 5:30 PM EDT: Over 1,000 protesters gather at Powder House Square, Somerville
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March 27, 11:44 AM EDT: Ozturk remains detained, legal proceedings pending
Judge Indira Talwani had issued a Tuesday ruling requiring 48 hours’ notice before any transfer. That order appears to have been ignored. The court has demanded DHS explain the breach by Friday.
Why the Detention?
DHS claims Ozturk’s visa was revoked due to “engagement in activities in support of Hamas,” which the U.S. officially designates as a foreign terrorist organization. In a statement to ABC News, a DHS spokesperson said, “A visa is a privilege, not a right.” No public evidence has been released to support the accusation. The only known reference is her co-authored op-ed calling for Tufts to divest from firms with ties to Israel and referencing “the Palestinian genocide.” Her name also appears on Canary Mission, a pro-Israel website that monitors pro-Palestinian activists, according to The Boston Globe. Her attorney sharply disputed the claims, telling CNN, “The government throws wild accusations but provides no proof.” Critics have framed the detention as part of a broader campaign against academic freedom and pro-Palestinian speech. Representative Ayanna Pressley labeled the incident a “violation of free speech”. Others have connected it to a January executive order signed by Donald Trump, directing DHS to investigate student visa holders suspected of supporting Hamas.
National Response
Attorney Mahsa Khanbabai filed a habeas petition the night of Ozturk’s arrest. Judge Talwani granted it, but ICE’s subsequent transfer to Louisiana has sparked outrage. No public explanation has been provided by DHS for violating the judge’s order. More than 1,000 demonstrators gathered in Somerville on March 26. Notably, some Jewish and Zionist students joined the protest. WBUR reported that Tufts freshman Eli Stettner, a pro-Israel student, warned, “They’ll come for me next.” Senator Elizabeth Warren also weighed in, calling the arrest “an attack on our Constitution,” while Tufts has taken a neutral stance. In a statement to CBS Boston, President Kumar confirmed Ozturk’s location and offered legal support if she requests it but made no comment on the university’s role. Meanwhile, DHS doubled down, telling Newsweek their actions represent “common-sense security.