A federal judge ruled that a Tufts University student, Rumeysa Öztürk, who wrote an essay about Israel and the war in Gaza and is now facing deportation, must be transferred back to Vermont from a detention center in Louisiana. Judge William K. Sessions III allowed the government four days to appeal the decision. Öztürk, a Turkish national on a visa in the U.S., was arrested in March for allegedly supporting Hamas. Her essay called for Tufts to acknowledge the Palestinian genocide and divest from companies with ties to Israel. Her attorneys argue that advocating for human rights should not lead to imprisonment, and that the government is trying to manipulate the outcome of her case.
The Department of Justice declined to comment on Friday’s ruling. Öztürk is among international students facing deportation for protesting Israel’s actions in the war against Hamas in Gaza. Tufts University has supported Öztürk, stating that her essay did not violate university policies and was in line with its stance on free speech. The university has petitioned for her release from custody.
The ruling allows Öztürk to remain in ICE custody in Vermont while her case proceeds in federal court. The judge found that her arrest and detention raised constitutional concerns. Öztürk’s case highlights the Trump administration’s efforts to deport international students for their activism. The government’s actions have sparked debate over free speech and the use of immigration laws to target political dissent.
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