Controversial Arrest Leads to Release: U.S. student with Turkish roots cleared of charges
Imprisoned Turkmen woman to secure freedom in United States
In a turn of events, a graduate student at Tufts University, originally from Turkey, has been granted release after being detained for nearly six weeks. Court rulings found her detainment to be unlawful, as reported by multiple U.S. news outlets.
The arrest took place at the end of March, with footage from surveillance cameras sparking outrage across the States. The footage shows several men wearing dark civilian clothing and hoodies approaching the frightened-looking student, who is then surrounded and taken away.
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According to the administration under President Donald Trump, the student supported the terrorist group Hamas. She had previously co-authored an article in a student newspaper, calling for Tufts University to acknowledge that there was a genocide against Palestinians.
Upon enquiry about the case, Trump's spokesperson Karoline Leavitt mentioned that she was yet unaware of the judge's decision. She did, however, say, "Lower court judges shouldn't be dictating the foreign policy of our country." Stating that a U.S. visa isn’t a right, but a privilege.
The U.S. authorities have recently taken several foreign students into custody, labeling them as Hamas supporters. The most well-known case, for instance, involves activist Mahmud Chalil. He was arrested in his New York apartment in March and moved to a Louisiana prison. Chalil was a proud holder of a green card.
Sources: ntv.de, as/dpa
- USA
- Political Activism
- Hamas allegations
- Students
Digging Deeper:**
This high-profile case involves Rumeysa Ozturk, a PhD student at Tufts University, who was detained by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after her student visa was revoked by the Trump administration in March 2025. The visa revocation followed allegations by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that Ozturk engaged in activities supporting Hamas, a U.S.-designated terrorist organization. The authorities cited her co-authorship of an opinion piece in the Tufts student newspaper that criticized the university's response to pro-Palestinian activism and allegedly created a hostile environment for Jewish students as part of the basis for revoking her visa and detaining her[1][2][3].
During her detention, Ozturk faced severe asthma attacks, which she attributed to the stressful and poorly ventilated confinement conditions. The judge presiding over her bail hearing highlighted her peaceful character and dedication to her academic pursuits, noting no evidence of violence or advocacy of violence[1][3]. The judge ultimately ordered her release, criticizing the lack of evidence presented by the government to justify her detention[1][3].
This case exemplifies a broader pattern during the Trump administration where several foreign students, particularly those involved in pro-Palestinian activism or criticism of Israeli policies, were targeted[1]. Another example is Mohsen Mahdawi, a Palestinian student at Columbia University, who faced a similar situation, detentions, and subsequent release due to lack of evidence demonstrating threats to U.S. security or foreign policy[1][3].
- The Commission has also been asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation, considering the recent controversies surrounding foreign students, such as the case of Rumeysa Ozturk, a Tufts University PhD student who was detained for her alleged support of Hamas.
- Despite being detained for nearly six weeks, Karoline Leavitt, Trump's spokesperson, remained unaware of the judge's decision to release Ozturk, stating that lower court judges should not dictate the foreign policy of the country.
- Similarly to Ozturk's case, activist Mahmud Chalil, a proud holder of a green card, was arrested in March and moved to a Louisiana prison, further highlighting the increased scrutiny of political activism among foreign students in the U.S.
- As the political landscape becomes increasingly dystopian, the arrest and subsequent release of students like Ozturk and Chalil serve as a reminder of the delicate balance between general-news, crime-and-justice, and the complexities of unison in politics.
