Federal Judge Orders Rumeysa Ozturk Transferred to Vermont

A federal judge has ordered the transfer of Tufts University doctoral student Rumeysa Ozturk from an ICE detention facility in Louisiana to Vermont, citing significant constitutional concerns with her arrest and detention. Ozturk, a Turkish national and Fulbright scholar, was detained after her student visa was revoked, allegedly in response to her co-authoring an op-ed supporting Palestinian rights and criticizing university investments tied to Israel. The court found that Ozturk's case merits a thorough review of potential violations of her free speech and due process rights, and that having her physically present in Vermont is necessary for proper legal proceedings and medical evaluation. Critics argue her detention and transfer are part of a broader government crackdown on pro-Palestinian activists and attempts to isolate detainees from legal support. The judge set a bail hearing for May 9 and emphasized that the case raises urgent constitutional issues regarding the use of immigration laws against political speech. Ozturk’s attorneys and supporters have described the ruling as a victory and a step toward ensuring due process.