Tufts Student Arrested Over Alleged Hamas Support

Rümeysa Öztürk, a 30-year-old doctoral student at Tufts University, was arrested by Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agents in Summerville, Massachusetts, on March 26. The arrest stemmed from DHS's revocation of Öztürk's visa based on allegations that she engaged in activities supporting Hamas, a designated foreign terrorist organization.

The Allegations Against Öztürk

A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security stated that Öztürk was "granted the privilege to be in this country on a visa" but investigations by DHS and ICE revealed her involvement in activities supporting Hamas. The spokesperson emphasized that "glorifying and supporting terrorists who kill Americans is grounds for visa issuance to be terminated. This is commonsense security." According to DHS, Öztürk's actions posed a potential threat to national security.

Tufts University's Response

Tufts University President Sunil Kumar filed a declaration in federal court in support of Öztürk. In his statement, Kumar asserted that the university has "no information" to substantiate the allegations made by DHS and ICE. He highlighted that there was no evidence to suggest that Öztürk engaged in activities at Tufts that warranted her arrest and detention.

Kumar further mentioned the widespread support for Öztürk within the Tufts community, with students, faculty, and staff describing her as a valuable member dedicated to her academic pursuits and colleagues. He emphasized that Öztürk's contributions to the university were significant and that her arrest was deeply concerning to the institution.

Legal Proceedings

Öztürk's legal team confirmed that she possessed a valid F-1 visa before her arrest and stated that no criminal charges had been filed against her. They argued that the allegations were unfounded and sought her immediate release. A habeas petition requesting that Öztürk not be removed from the District of Massachusetts was granted by U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani on March 25, but Öztürk had already been removed from the area by that time.

Öztürk's Previous Actions

In March 2024, Öztürk co-authored an op-ed in the Tufts Daily urging the university to divest from Israel. This action may have contributed to the scrutiny she faced from authorities, as it aligned with viewpoints that could be perceived as controversial or potentially supportive of groups deemed hostile by the U.S. government.