Turkish PhD Student Arrested: Shocking Video Sparks Outrage
The arrest of Rumeysa Ozturk has sparked a national debate about free speech, immigration, and the role of law enforcement, with many calling for greater transparency and accountability in the actions of ICE agents, and the video of her arrest has been widely shared on social media, fueling outrage and concern about the treatment of international students in the US.
Rumeysa Ozturk, a 30-year-old Turkish national and PhD student at Tufts University, was arrested by federal agents near her home in Massachusetts, with the incident caught on camera by a neighbor, showing officers wearing facial coverings and sunglasses.
The arrest has sparked controversy and outrage, with many criticizing the use of facial coverings by ICE agents and the targeting of students for their beliefs. Ozturk's lawyer, Masha Khanbabai, argues that she was targeted for her beliefs and that the arrest was a "witch hunt" by ICE against those who support Palestine. The Department of Homeland Security claims she was involved in activities in support of Hamas, but has not provided evidence.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that he revoked the visa of Ozturk before she was arrested and sent to a detention center in Louisiana, claiming that he identifies and revokes visas of those who "create a ruckus" in the US. Ozturk's family believes she is being unfairly targeted and that she has not taken any action that would warrant her arrest. Tufts University officials had no prior knowledge of her arrest, and the university is supporting Ozturk and her family.
The Turkish government is also monitoring the case and providing consular services and legal support to Ozturk. A federal judge has issued a temporary restraining order stopping federal agents from detaining Columbia University student Yunseo Chung, who was also arrested for alleged ties to Hamas. Ozturk's case has raised concerns about the targeting of students for their beliefs and the use of excessive force by ICE agents.