Lawyers for detained Tufts student push for record restoration, citing barriers to education and research.
Attorneys representing Rumeysa Öztürk, a graduate student at Tufts University who was detained by federal authorities in March, have petitioned a judge to restore her student record on the Immigration and Customs Enforcement's database. Since her release from detention six weeks ago, Öztürk has been unable to participate in teaching and research opportunities as part of her studies.
Öztürk's experience has sparked widespread criticism, with many expressing outrage over her detainment. A federal judge ordered her release after being held at a Louisiana detention facility for six weeks. However, since her return to campus in May, she has faced significant hurdles in pursuing her graduate studies.
According to court documents, Öztürk's student visa was revoked without her knowledge earlier this year, leading to the removal of her student record from the database. Her lawyers argue that the government's actions are punitive and intended to punish her for her speech and activism.
"This is not just about Rumeysa; it's about every single student who has been targeted by ICE," said Adriana Lafaille, an ACLU attorney representing Öztürk. "The government continues to reach into their lives, cutting off career opportunities and restricting their ability to participate in education and research."
In contrast, the Department of Homeland Security, which manages the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), maintains that Öztürk's record was terminated due to her visa revocation and designation as removable.
The judge has agreed to consider the arguments and release a ruling soon, although no specific date was announced. If successful, restoring Öztürk's student record could pave the way for other detained students to participate in educational opportunities.
Attorneys representing Rumeysa Öztürk, a graduate student at Tufts University who was detained by federal authorities in March, have petitioned a judge to restore her student record on the Immigration and Customs Enforcement's database. Since her release from detention six weeks ago, Öztürk has been unable to participate in teaching and research opportunities as part of her studies.
Öztürk's experience has sparked widespread criticism, with many expressing outrage over her detainment. A federal judge ordered her release after being held at a Louisiana detention facility for six weeks. However, since her return to campus in May, she has faced significant hurdles in pursuing her graduate studies.
According to court documents, Öztürk's student visa was revoked without her knowledge earlier this year, leading to the removal of her student record from the database. Her lawyers argue that the government's actions are punitive and intended to punish her for her speech and activism.
"This is not just about Rumeysa; it's about every single student who has been targeted by ICE," said Adriana Lafaille, an ACLU attorney representing Öztürk. "The government continues to reach into their lives, cutting off career opportunities and restricting their ability to participate in education and research."
In contrast, the Department of Homeland Security, which manages the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), maintains that Öztürk's record was terminated due to her visa revocation and designation as removable.
The judge has agreed to consider the arguments and release a ruling soon, although no specific date was announced. If successful, restoring Öztürk's student record could pave the way for other detained students to participate in educational opportunities.
her lawyers are right though, its not just about her it's about all the others who get targeted by ice for speaking out or being passionate about something. its so unfair that she cant even participate in teaching and research anymore because of some messed up bureaucracy. i hope justice is served soon and rumeysa can get back to living her best life 
IT'S NOT RIGHT THAT SHE CAN'T PARTICIPATE IN HER STUDIES ANYMORE, ESPECIALLY AFTER SHE WAS RELEASED FROM DETENTION SIX WEEKS AGO. I MEAN, WHAT ELSE IS THE GOVERNMENT GOING TO TAKE AWAY FROM HER? IT'S LIKE THEY'RE TRYING TO PUNISH HER FOR STANDING UP FOR WHAT SHE BELIEVES IN 
. ANYWAY, I HOPE THE JUDGE MAKES A FAIR RULING AND RESTORES HER RECORD SO SHE CAN GET BACK ON TRACK WITH HER STUDIES 
I'm kinda blown away by this whole situation... like, I get that Rumeysa had some strong opinions, but detaining her? That's a big deal. And now she can't even do her job as a grad student? It's messed up. 
I mean, if someone's got a problem with a student's activism, maybe there are better ways to address it than locking them up. 
Anyway, I hope the judge makes the right call and restores her record. It's about more than just Rumeysa - it's about all those other students who might get caught in the crossfire too... 
it's like, her visa got revoked and now she can't even do her own research or teach as part of her studies 
that's not fair at all, you know? 
her lawyers are pushing for her student record to be restored so other students who've been in similar situations can finally get a break 
it's all about equality and fairness, you feel me? 
. Adriana Lafaille said it best tho, this isn't just about Rumeysa, it's about all the other students who are getting targeted by ICE 
. I mean can you even imagine if they did this to your little sis or friend? it's insane... my heart is literally breaking for her 
This is bigger than just Rumeysa's case, it's about creating a system where no one has to go through this 
. The fact that she can't even participate in teaching and research opportunities now is just ridiculous. It's like they're trying to silence her and everyone else who dares to speak up.
. If we want to attract top talent from around the world (like Rumeysa), we need to create an environment where they feel safe and supported, not persecuted 
.
The ACLU's point about it affecting other students too is super valid, though. We need to make sure that our education system isn't being used as a tool of oppression. 
Tufts student Rumeysa Öztürk deserves her record back ASAP 
and what about all those research papers she wanted to write but cant now because of this detention drama? it's just so unfair 
. I'm talking about the stats here... 93% of students who've been detained by ICE have reported difficulties in pursuing their education 
. And it's not just Öztürk, it's a pattern. Did you know that in 2022 alone, over 500 students were detained for more than 30 days? That's like, almost 1 student every 10 minutes 
.
... if we normalize the number of students being detained by ICE per year, it's actually increasing. From 2016 to 2020, detentions rose from 1,100 to over 4,800. That's a 329% increase 
. And what's the result? Students like Öztürk who are left with no choice but to go through the courts 
.
she's just trying to do her studies and she gets detained and then her record gets messed up!