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.

“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