Concerns continue to grow after a Tufts University student from Turkish native was detained by immigration and customs enforcement earlier this week as Massachusetts Legislature delegation and ACLU joined in a call for answers in her case.
US lawmakers are currently demanding answers from Tufts University doctoral student Le Mesa Ozturk, with a state delegation leading the charges.
More than 20 members of Congress have called for transparency in the case in a letter to Secretary of Homeland Security Marco Rubio’s Secretary of State Christie Noem and director Ice Lions. This comes after Rubio tackled criticism of the situation on Thursday.
Rubio defended the ice move to detain Ozturk earlier this week.
He then said the Trump administration will continue to deny visas to those citing “lied to us” and “to participate in such activities,” referring to protests on university campuses. The DHS accused Ozturk of acting in favor of Hamas, but did not identify the type of support they are alleging or provide evidence of the allegations.
A Massachusetts delegation, along with several other members of Congress, has accused the Trump administration of targeting Ozture in lieu of op-ed, which she wrote with three other students, regarding the Gaza War.
They also claim that she was not in the Gulf state when she was given a court order to keep her here, so she requests a specific timeline as to when and how she moved from Massachusetts. She was taken to an ice detention facility in Louisiana.
Protesters supporting Rumeysa Ozturk have called for the Somaville leader to be sold from companies that support Israel’s presence in Palestine.
The letter reads the letter “in this case we are seeking a full due process and answers to the case and the ICE policies that led to the identification and arrest of university students with valid legal status,” the letter reads.
“The administration should not immediately detain and deport legal residents of this country just to express political views. Without compelling evidence to justify her detention and revoke her status, we are seeking the release of Ozturk and the recovery of her visa,” it continues.
Please read the complete letter below.
“We work very closely with Tufts University and local governments to get answers. She has not been charged with a crime. The fact that she has been taken off the street and we are not sure exactly where she is is something that should be deeply concerned with everyone who cares about our right to free speech.”
Meanwhile, the ACLU took part in Ozturk’s legal defense.
“The illegal arrest and detention of RümeysaÖztürk is yet another escalation of efforts to silence the administration’s speech. No fines can be imposed as a punishment for political views, regardless of the state of immigration. Media Statement.
Students and community leaders continue to protest and rally support Ozturk on and off campus.
Read letters from 28 members of the Congress
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