Federal Court Orders Transfer of Detained Turkish Student to Vermont
BURLINGTON, VT — On April 14, 2025, several hundred demonstrators gathered outside the U.S. District Court in Burlington, demanding the release of Rümeysa Öztürk, a Turkish graduate student from Tufts University. Öztürk was detained after co-authoring an op-ed criticizing the university’s response to the Israel-Hamas conflict.
A federal appeals court ruled on Wednesday that the Trump administration must comply with a Vermont court’s earlier decision to transfer Öztürk to a federal immigration facility in Vermont. Currently held at an ICE facility in Louisiana, the ruling requires her transfer by May 14, although the exact location remains unspecified. Legal filings suggest she may be held at Chittenden Regional Correctional Facility in South Burlington.
Öztürk’s legal team represents the belief that her detention is an unlawful infringement on her right to free speech. They argue that her arrest was politically motivated due to her critical views expressed in the op-ed. The appeals court heard arguments from both her attorneys and a federal prosecutor before arriving at its decision.
"The balance of hardships tips decidedly in her favor," stated the appeals judges, indicating that the government’s concerns did not outweigh the potential constitutional violations against Öztürk. They noted her worsening health in custody, citing increased asthma attacks linked to the detention conditions.
Although her situation remains precarious, ACLU attorney Esha Bhandari praised the ruling, asserting that perpetual detention for political expression is unacceptable. Meanwhile, Tricia McLaughlin from the DHS maintained that the administration would continue its legal battle regarding Öztürk’s deportation.
A bail hearing is scheduled for Öztürk on Friday, as her case continues to draw national attention.
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