A Turkish student at Tufts University was detained by U.S. Department of Homeland Security Agents without any explanation on Tuesday, March 25 in Somerville, MA. The 30 year old, Rumeysa Ozturk, a national doctoral student at Tufts University, was stopped Tuesday night in Somerville after just leaving her home. (Associated Press) 

The Associated Press provided a video, showing footage of Ozturk being approached by six people “their faces covered, taking away Ozturk’s phone as she yells and is handcuffed.” (Associated Press) The group told Ozturk that they were the police, and in the video “a man is heard asking ‘why are you hiding your faces?’” (Associated Press) 

A friend of Ozturk issued a statement to the Associated Press, and mentioned that Ozturk does have a visa, allowing her to study in the United States. Neighbors that had witnessed the event said that it appeared to be more of a kidnapping. Michael Mathis, whose surveillance camera captured the event, said “They approach her and start grabbing her with their faces covered. They’re covering their faces. They’re in unmarked vehicles.” (Associated Press)

The university did not have prior knowledge to Ozturk’s arrest nor did the university share information about Ozturk to federal agents before the arrest took place. 

Ayanna Pressley, Democratic U.S. Rep. commented on Ozturk’s arrest, and said that it was “ ‘a horrifying violation of Rumeysa’s constitutional rights to due process and free speech.’ ” (Associated Press) Pressley said that Ozturk must be immediately released, and said in a statement that “ ‘We won’t stand by while the Trump Administration continues to abduct students with legal status and attack our fundamental freedoms.’ ” (Associated Press) The arrest is being criticized as intimidation and not as public safety, and it is speculated that Ozturk’s detainment is due to her political views. 

Ozturk, involved in student journalism at Tufts University, was one of the four students who criticized the conflict between Israel and Palestine, and “the op-ed was the only cited example of ‘anti-Israel activism’ by Ozturk.” (Associated Press) After the op-ed piece was published, “her name, photo and work history were featured by Canary Mission, a website that says it documents people who “promote hatred of the U.S.A., Israel and Jews on North American college campuses.’ ” (Associated Press)

Students and faculty of other colleges and universities have also had visas revoked or been not permitted to enter the U.S. due to attending demonstrations or expressing support for Palestine. Trump’s administration has authorized the Secretary of State to revoke the visas of noncitizens who could potentially be considered to be threats to foreign policy interests. (Associated Press)

U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani ordered the government to provide an explanation for Ozturk’s detainment, giving them until Friday to respond.  Judge Talwani also ordered that Ozturk not be moved outside of Massachusetts, requiring that there is at least 48 hours notice. (Associated Press)

As of Wednesday evening, Ozturk was listed by the U.S. Immigration and Custom Enforcement’s online detainee locator system as being located in Louisiana, and Ozturk’s detention has been confirmed, as well as the termination of her visa. (Associated Press)

On Wednesday night, hundreds of people gathered in Somerville in protest against Ozturk’s arrest, many people with signs supporting her, supporting Palestine, and opposing ICE. 

Many protestors spoke out at the demonstrations and were outraged by the recent arrest of Ozturk.

Protestors were also angered at the government’s two political parties, accusing both parties of their failiure to protect immigrants and support and stand up for Palestinians. (Associated Press)

The foreign policy of the United States was also under scrutiny by the demonstrators, and accusations of Nazism, and continued kidnappings of legal immigrants. 

A lot of fear and anger have been expressed after the detention of Ozturk, and the status of legal immigrants in the U.S. continues to be of question.