Tufts Doctoral Candidate’s Bail Hearing Under Review After Detainment
Washington — A bail hearing is set for Rumeysa Ozturk, a doctoral candidate at Tufts University, who has been detained by immigration authorities following the revocation of her student visa by the Trump administration. The hearing will take place remotely this Friday, and it is highly anticipated due to the legal implications surrounding her case.
Background of Detainment
Ozturk has been held at an immigration facility in Basile, Louisiana, since her arrest on March 25 in Massachusetts. This occurred shortly after her visa was revoked, and her legal team claims she was not made aware of this decision prior to her detention.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) justified her detention by alleging her involvement in associations that might undermine U.S. foreign policy. Additionally, a memo from the State Department revoking her student visa was the only document presented to support their opposition to her bail request.
Legal Proceedings and Rights Violations
Ozturk’s attorneys have argued that her detainment is a violation of her First and Fifth Amendment rights. They contend that she poses neither a flight risk nor a threat to the community, but an immigration judge ruled against granting her bond last month, citing concerns about her potential danger and flight risk.
During this hearing, Tufts University President Sunil Kumar issued a declaration supporting Ozturk, asserting that the university has no information substantiating the allegations against her. Kumar also expressed concern over the trumped-up charges of her involvement in protests related to her op-ed criticizing the university’s stance on Israel.
Current Legal Status and Next Steps
Ozturk will appear via video link from her detention facility during the bail hearing. Her legal battle has faced numerous challenges, including jurisdiction disputes regarding the filing of her habeas corpus petition, which was originally filed in Massachusetts but later moved to Vermont.
On May 22, a crucial date will arrive as U.S. District Judge William Sessions evaluates the merits of Ozturk’s confinement challenge separate from the bail hearing. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit recently upheld Sessions’ order for Ozturk to be transferred to Vermont, citing the need for better access to legal and medical services.
Conditions of Detainment
Ozturk has reported suffering multiple health issues, including serious asthma attacks, due to the conditions at the detention facility. Her lawyers also highlighted that she shares a cell with 24 other detainees despite its stated capacity of 14.