A Turkish doctoral student at Tufts University was forcibly detained by masked federal agents in a scene that witnesses described as resembling a “kidnapping,” her lawyer said Wednesday, sparking outrage and fears of escalating government suppression of pro-Palestinian voices on U.S. campuses.
Surveillance footage obtained shows Rumeysa Ozturk, 30, being surrounded by six unidentified individuals with covered faces as they seize her phone, handcuff her, and push her into an unmarked vehicle. The video captures her screaming while a bystander demands: “Why are you hiding your faces?”
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has not disclosed why Ozturk—a Fulbright scholar and developmental psychology researcher—was detained. Her lawyer, Mahsa Khanbabai, said no charges have been filed, and her whereabouts remain unknown.
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A Broader Crackdown? Similar Cases Raise Alarms
Ozturk’s detention is part of a disturbing pattern of academic professionals and international students facing abrupt visa cancellations, detentions, and removals amid heightened scrutiny under the Trump administration’s renewed immigration enforcement directives.
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Mahmoud Khalil, a green card–holding graduate student at Columbia University and prominent pro-Palestinian activist, was arrested by ICE. Legal experts call his detention a test case for the administration’s use of immigration law to target political speech.
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Earlier this month, a French scientist was denied entry at a U.S. airport after officials found private text messages critical of Trump’s policies on his phone. France’s government called the incident an attack on academic freedom and civil liberties.
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In Boston, Dr. Rasha Alawieh, a Lebanese-born professor at Brown University, was deported despite a federal court order. The government cited images of Hezbollah leaders on her phone, though her attorneys argued the content reflected cultural and religious mourning, not terrorist support.
“The line between immigration enforcement and political retribution is eroding rapidly,” said Michael Posner, former Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor. “We are witnessing the weaponization of visa policy against dissent.”
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University “Blindsided,” Students Fear Retaliation
Tufts President Sunil Kumar confirmed Ozturk’s visa was terminated but said the university had no prior knowledge of her detention.
Ozturk co-authored a pro-Palestinian op-ed in The Tufts Daily last year, criticizing the school’s investments in Israel. Yet friends insist she is not an activist but a dedicated researcher focused on children’s media.
“This looks like a kidnapping,” said neighbor Michael Mathis, whose security camera captured the arrest. “Who are these people, and why are they covering their faces?”
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“A Chilling Message”: Academics Warn of Crackdown on Dissent
Scholars and students across the U.S. say Ozturk’s detention sends a terrifying message: Criticizing U.S. foreign policy—especially regarding Israel—can now put even legally present immigrants at risk.
“This isn’t just about one student,” said Sarah Harb, an organizer with Students for Justice in Palestine. “It’s about using fear and state power to silence academic voices.”
As of Wednesday, Ozturk’s friends and attorney still had no idea where she was being held. Dr. Reyyan Bilge, her longtime mentor, described her as a dedicated researcher focused on children’s education—not activism.
“Her work was about helping kids learn better,” Bilge said. “Now we’re just praying someone will tell us where she is—and why this happened.”
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Legal Battle Looms as Advocates Fear Wider Crackdown
A federal judge has given DHS until Friday to justify Ozturk’s detention, but free speech advocates warn the case could set a dangerous precedent for international students and scholars.
“This isn’t about security—it’s about silencing dissent,” said one Tufts student, speaking anonymously out of fear. “If they can take her, who’s next?”
With similar cases emerging nationwide, critics say the U.S. is entering uncharted territory—where academic freedom and immigration status may hinge on political views.
