Setback in Justice: Controversial Detainment of Turkish PhD Student in US Raises Eyebrows
Imprisoned Turkmen woman to gain freedom in the US.
In a scenario reminiscent of a thriller, a doctoral student at Tufts University found herself engulfed by a swarm of men, her academic freedom abruptly snatched away. She's been ensnared in U.S. detention for weeks, with accusations of backing Hamas against her. A judge's recent ruling has put an end to this high-profile case.
The alarming footage, captured by surveillance cameras, reveals several men in casual attire, some donning hoodies, approaching the shaken PhD student. Surrounded and led away, the young scholar's frightening ordeal sparked outrage in the States.
Political Whirlwind Judge Verdict: US Judge Overturns Controversial Detention The U.S. administration, under President Trump's leadership, alleges her ties to the terrorist group Hamas, stemming from an op-ed she co-authored in 2024 that called for Tufts to acknowledge a Palestine genocide.
Speaking on the matter, Trump's spokesperson Karoline Leavitt expressed surprise about the judge's decision, only adding later that "local court judgments should not dictate the foreign policy of the United States." Leavitt further emphasized that a U.S. visa is not an inalienable right but a consideration.
The U.S. government has initiated multiple arrests of foreign students, citing support for Hamas. The most notable inclusion is Mahmud Chalil, a graduate of New York's Columbia University possessing a green card, who was apprehended in his apartment and transferred to a detention center in Louisiana weeks prior.
- USA
- Politics
- Hamas
- Donald Trump
- Students
- Academic Freedom
Additional Insights:
Rümeysa Öztürk, a doctoral student at Tufts University, was detained for six weeks but released on May 10, 2025, following a federal judge's order. The Department of Homeland Security accused her of engaging in activities supporting Hamas due to an op-ed she co-authored advocating for Tufts to divest from Israel[1].
Mahmoud Khalil, a former Columbia University graduate student and permanent resident, faced arrest and residency complications due to his involvement in student protests against the Gaza war. He served as the spokesperson for the protesting students[2].
Another unnamed PhD student co-authored an opinion piece criticizing her university's stance on Gaza. Accused of supporting Hamas, she was detained by plainclothes officers near her residence.
At least nine international students were detained following protests against the Gaza war. Some faced accusations of disorder, while others were never officially informed about their visa revocation[2].
- According to reports, the Commission has been tasked with presenting a proposal for a directive on the protection of workers from the risks associated with exposure to ionizing radiation, given the recent detention of a Tufts University PhD student.
- In amidst the controversy surrounding the detention of Rümeysa Öztürk, Karoline Leavitt, a spokesperson for President Trump, stated that local court judgments should not dictate the foreign policy of the United States.
- The Commission, amidst political scrutiny, is also expected to address the source of exposure to ionizing radiation that may have caused harm to the detained Tufts student.
- While the detention of an international student raises concerns about academic freedom, another unidentified PhD student has been apprehended for co-authoring an opinion piece criticizing her university's stance on Gaza, sparking debates around the risks related to exposure to political pressures in such situations.
