Federal Judge Moves Tufts Student’s Immigration Case to Vermont
BOSTON (AP) — A federal judge in Boston has transferred the case of Rumeysa Ozturk, a detained Tufts University doctoral student, to Vermont. Ozturk, a 30-year-old Turkish national, was arrested by immigration officials on March 25 while walking in Somerville, Massachusetts. Initially held in New Hampshire and Vermont, she was subsequently moved to a detention center in Basile, Louisiana.
Ozturk is among several individuals with connections to U.S. universities who faced visa revocations or entry denials after publicly supporting Palestinian rights amid the ongoing Gaza conflict. Her legal team filed a petition in Massachusetts for her release, arguing that her detention violated her constitutional rights, including free speech and due process. However, Justice Department lawyers contended the petition should be dismissed or transferred to Louisiana.
U.S. District Judge Denise Casper ruled on Friday that the case should be moved to Vermont, referencing a federal law that allows for such transfers if it serves "the interest of justice." Judge Casper noted Ozturk was confined in Vermont at the time of the petition’s filing, thus making it the appropriate venue for jurisdictional review.
The judge did not delve into the specifics of the case but acknowledged that Ozturk’s attorneys raised "serious issues" concerning her arrest and detention. A spokesperson from the Department of Homeland Security suggested that Ozturk engaged in activities supporting Hamas, a claim that remains unsubstantiated.
In a recent statement, Ozturk emphasized her commitment to her research with children and youth and expressed her dedication to advocating against injustice and facilitating dialogue among differing perspectives. Her case continues to spark discussions about free speech and immigration rights in the context of political activism on U.S. campuses.
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