New York—A federal appeals court has intervened in the case of Rümeysa Öztürk, a Tufts University doctoral student, ordering her transfer from an immigration detention facility in Louisiana to Vermont. This decision comes as a judge in Vermont prepares to determine whether Öztürk can be released on bail. The ruling from the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals gives the Trump administration one week to comply.
Öztürk was detained after a dramatic arrest on March 25 by federal immigration agents in Somerville, Massachusetts. The Department of Homeland Security claims she has engaged in activities that support Hamas, although no criminal charges have been filed against her. Her attorneys argue that her detention violates her rights to free speech and due process, pointing out that the government has provided no evidence to substantiate its allegations.
Esha Bhandari of the American Civil Liberties Union, which is representing Öztürk, condemned her arrest, stating, “No one should be arrested and locked up for their political views.” She expressed relief that the court’s ruling prevents the government from isolating her from legal counsel and her community during this critical time.
In a response to the ruling, DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin emphasized that holding a visa is a privilege. She reiterated the government’s stance on detaining individuals who are perceived to be in the U.S. unlawfully, insisting that the administration will continue its crackdown on such cases. In court filings, the government justified Öztürk’s transfer to Louisiana by claiming a lack of available space closer to her original detention site.
However, earlier this month, a Massachusetts federal judge revealed that detention beds were open in Maine, closer to Vermont than the current facility in Louisiana. Legal experts have highlighted that fighting deportation in Louisiana presents more significant challenges than in Vermont due to the conservative leanings of the local courts.
Öztürk has been diagnosed with asthma, and her attorneys have expressed concern that her health is deteriorating while in detention. She is part of a broader pattern of arrests targeting international students during the Trump administration, with officials alleging that they foster a hostile environment for Jewish students.
A federal judge in Vermont has scheduled a bail hearing for Öztürk on Friday, raising hopes that she may soon be released from detention, allowing her to continue her studies and fight for her rights outside of confinement. The unfolding legal battles surrounding her case have drawn significant attention and ignited discussions about the freedom of speech and the treatment of international students in the U.S.