Federal Court Orders Transfer of Tufts Ph.D. Student from Detention Facility
Washington — A federal appeals court has directed the Trump administration to comply with a lower court ruling mandating the transfer of Tufts University Ph.D. student Rumeysa Ozturk from a Louisiana detention facility to Vermont. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit denied an emergency request from the administration, following arguments presented on Tuesday concerning Ozturk’s ongoing detention.
Currently held in Basile, Louisiana, Ozturk was arrested on March 25 when plainclothes officers took her into custody after revoking her student visa without prior notice. The Department of Homeland Security cited her alleged affiliations as a threat to U.S. foreign policy, suggesting a link to support for a designated terrorist organization.
Ozturk, 30, co-authored a controversial editorial in 2024 criticizing Tufts for dismissing student senate resolutions aimed at holding Israel accountable for perceived violations of international law—a move that has drawn scrutiny amid broader concerns over academic freedom and immigration policies affecting students.
Her legal team has challenged her detention, arguing it violates her First and Fifth Amendment rights. After her arrest, Ozturk was moved through several detention sites before her transfer to Louisiana. A bail hearing is scheduled for May 9 in Vermont, where U.S. District Judge William Sessions will also consider the merits of her habeas petition on May 22.
The appeals court has given the Trump administration until May 14 to comply with the transfer order, indicating a critical juncture for Ozturk as she navigates the complexities of immigration law and her academic future.
As one of many students facing visa revocations linked to political expression, Ozturk’s case has garnered significant attention, raising questions about academic freedom and the treatment of international students in the U.S.
————————————————————————
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image associated with the presented article. Due to copyright reasons, we are unable to use the original images. However, you can still enjoy the accurate and up-to-date content and information provided.
————————————————————————
