Press Release: Federal Court Ruling Backs Detained Tufts Student’s Rights Amid Controversial Immigration Case
New York, NY – May 6, 2025 — In a significant development regarding immigration rights, a federal appeals court in New York has ordered the Trump administration to transfer Rümeysa Öztürk, a doctoral student at Tufts University, from Louisiana to Vermont. This decision comes as the court prepares to hear the government’s appeal of a previous ruling concerning Öztürk’s detention.
Öztürk was arrested on March 25 in Somerville, Massachusetts, by federal immigration agents, who have accused her of supporting Hamas. The basis for these allegations stems from her previous writings criticizing her university’s handling of resolutions related to the Israel-Hamas conflict. Despite these claims, Öztürk has not been charged with any crime, and her attorneys argue that her detention infringes on her free speech and due process rights.
The panel from the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals underscored that Vermont is the appropriate venue for adjudicating Öztürk’s habeas petition since she was physically located there when the petition was filed. "No one should be arrested and locked up for their political views," stated Esha Bhandari, an attorney from the ACLU, which is representing Öztürk.
The ruling not only grants her the chance for a fairer legal review in Vermont but also counters the Trump administration’s claim that detention space limitations necessitated her transfer to Louisiana. A federal judge in Massachusetts found nearby detention facilities available, raising further questions about her current detention.
Öztürk’s case exemplifies the broader issues concerning immigration policies and civil liberties under the current administration. Her bail hearing is scheduled for Friday, and legal experts anticipate that the outcome could set significant precedents for similar cases involving international students.
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