In the United States, it has been revealed that Tufts University doctoral student Rumeysa Öztürk, who was detained in broad daylight with her hands cuffed behind her back, was taken to multiple states. According to CNN International, despite a court order, Öztürk was flown approx. 2400 kilometers away from her home.

Tufts University doctoral student Rumeysa Öztürk in the USA, on the night of Tuesday, walking alone to meet with friends for iftar, was surrounded by six plainclothes police officers on the street near her home. Surveillance footage showed a police officer in a hooded sweatshirt and a cap grabbing her by the wrists, while the officers surrounding her on the sidewalk covered their mouths and noses with cloth, some wearing sunglasses. The video shows masked officers handcuffing Öztürk and holding her arms from both sides. She was then taken away in an SUV. According to the news on CNN International, her attorneys said that the Turkish student, who had a valid F-1 student visa, was taken to multiple states, including state facilities in New England.

AGAINST COURT ORDER, TRANSPORTED
The next morning, about six hours after her arrest, despite a court order preventing Öztürk from leaving Massachusetts without prior notice, she was flown nearly 2400 kilometers away from her home to a detention facility in Alexandria, Louisiana. According to the revised habeas corpus petition submitted on Friday, Öztürk suffered an asthma attack during the transfer to Louisiana. Throughout this time, she was not charged with any crime or given the opportunity to speak with an attorney. Eventually, she was taken to the South Louisiana United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Basile, Louisiana. Her friends, family, and attorneys were unable to locate or communicate with Öztürk for about 24 hours after her arrest. Finally, Öztürk’s attorneys were able to speak with her on Wednesday evening. Her attorney stated to CNN that no charges were made against her. The petition indicated that her visa was canceled on March 21, though she was not informed until she received a notice from ICE after her arrest.

DEPORTATION ORDER HALTED
On Friday, a federal judge in Boston issued an order to halt Öztürk’s deportation. Her brother, Asım Öztürk, stated that she was about 10 months away from completing her doctoral degree in child education and human development at Tufts University. According to her attorneys, Öztürk, who obtained a master’s degree from Columbia University on a Fulbright scholarship, had been studying in the USA since 2018. The petition stated: “Rümeysa’s arrest and detention are designed to punish her speech and to deter others from speaking. Indeed, Rümeysa’s arrest and detention are part of the Trump administration’s concerted and systematic efforts to punish students and others associated with Palestinian activism.” Öztürk is one of many international university students facing deportation following the Trump administration’s order to suppress pro-Palestinian demonstrations on university campuses. The arrest of Öztürk by masked law enforcement officers in the streets and near their homes has sent a shockwave through the international student community. A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson, without specifying what the alleged activities were, claimed on Wednesday that Öztürk was engaged in “activities supporting Hamas.” Her attorneys argue that she is being unjustly punished for speaking out in favor of Palestinian rights. While a judge has halted her deportation, Öztürk’s attorneys continue to fight for her release.