Rümeysa Öztürk

Rümeysa Öztürk is a Fullbright scholar who was working on her Ph.D at Tufts University, when she was abducted by plainclothes ICE agents in Somerville, Massachusetts on March 25. Rümeysa was targeted by the Trump administration in retaliation for an op-ed she co-authored in her student newspaper last year. 

For 24 hours, the government refused Rümeysa access to her attorneys as ICE agents moved her to three separate locations in three different states, including Vermont, before shipping her to Louisiana, where she has been detained ever since.

A federal judge ruled that Rümeysa’s case should be transferred to the distric of Vermont, instead of Louisiana. Days later, in an immigration court ruling, Rümeysa was denied bond, despite having never committed a crime. 

Since being in ICE custody, Rümeysa has suffered multiple asthma attacks and has yet to receive the proper medication.

On May 9, a federal court granted Rümeysa bail, a decision that came more than 6 weeks after the Trump administration abducted and detained her because of an op-ed she co-authored in her student newspaper. With this ruling, Rümeysa will be able to return to her Massachusetts community and continue her studies at Tufts University, while the case proceeds.

“We know that injustice in the world and systemic brutality towards people of color has long-lasting negative effects on children, youth and other communities. My life is committed to choosing peaceful and inclusive ways to meet the needs of children. I believe the world is a more beautiful and peaceful place when we listen to each other and allow different perspectives to be in the room. Writing is one of the most peaceful ways of addressing systemic inequality. Efforts to target me because of my op-ed in the Tufts Daily calling for the equal dignity and humanity of all people will not deter me from my commitment to advocate for the rights of youth and children.”

– Rümeysa Öztürk

“From the moment a swarm of ICE agents abducted Ms. Öztürk in broad daylight, the government has spared no effort to evade responsibility and deny her due process. We will likewise spare no effort to ensure the government's egregious unlawful conduct does not go unchecked, and that Ms. Öztürk and others like her can continue to express their sincerely held beliefs about Palestinian human rights without fear of retaliation.”

– Mudassar Toppa, Staff Attorney

TIMELINE

  • March 25, 2025: Rümeysa Öztürk was arrested and transfered to a detention facility in Louisiana.

  • March 28, 2025: We filed an amended habeas petition and complaint with the federal court in the District of Massachusetts, challenging her unconstitutional detention by ICE.

  • April 3, 2025: Argued before the U.S. District Court challenging Rümeysa’s unlawful detention.

  • April 4, 2025: Court rules Rümeysa’s lawsuit should move forward in Vermont.

  • April 17, 2025: Rümeysa is denied bond.

  • April 18, 2025: Court rules ICE to transfer Rümeysa back to New England.

  • April 25, 2025: We filed an opposition to the Trump administration’s emergency request to pause the transfer order.

  • May 7, 2025: The Second Circuit Court of Appeals denied government’s attempt to further delay Rümeysa’s transfer to Vermont.

    • The government has one week to comply.

  • May 9, 2025: Federal court orders the release of Rümeysa.

  • December 8, 2025: Federal court orders government to restore Rümeysa’s SEVIS student record, which was unlawfully terminated in March 2025 by ICE.

  • February 9, 2026: Removal proceedings terminated by immigration judge.

  • April 17, 2026: Rümeysa returns home to Türkiye, following the successful completion of her PhD program at Tufts.