A shocking video captures the moment federal agents detain a university student who was legally residing in the U.S., sparking outrage.
In a shocking incident, federal agents detained a university student who was legally living in the United States.
A video captured this event in Boston, raising concerns among many people.
Student’s identity and background
The student, Rumeysa Ozturk, is a 30-year-old Turkish national. She was studying at Tufts University on a legal visa.
Ozturk had just left her home in Somerville to meet friends for iftar, a meal to break the fast during Ramadan.
Little did she know that her evening would take a drastic turn.
Disturbing footage shows federal agents arresting university student legally living in the U.S
Surveillance camera footage captures the moment federal agents approach Ozturk. Six masked individuals approached her and seized her phone.
They identified themselves as police but did not show their badges until after she was already in handcuffs.
Neighbors described the scene as looking more like a kidnapping than a lawful arrest.
Michael Mathis, who owns the surveillance camera, shared his shock. He said, “They approach her and start grabbing her with their faces covered. They’re in unmarked vehicles.”
This behavior has raised many questions about the methods used by federal agents.
Lack of explanation for detention
Ozturk’s lawyer, Mahsa Khanbabai, has stated that they do not know where Ozturk is being held.
She mentioned that no charges have been filed against Ozturk at this time.
The lack of communication regarding her situation has caused great concern among her friends and family.
“We are unaware of her whereabouts and have not been able to contact her. No charges have been filed against Rumeysa to date that we are aware of,” lawyer Mahsa Khanbabai said.
The uncertainty of the situation is distressing for everyone involved.
Allegations from the Department of Homeland Security
A spokesperson from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) accused Ozturk of engaging in activities that support Hamas, a foreign terrorist organization.
They stated, “A visa is a privilege, not a right. Glorifying and supporting terrorists who kill Americans is grounds for visa issuance to be terminated.”
However, they did not provide specific details about the alleged activities.
This accusation has raised eyebrows, especially since Ozturk had previously written an op-ed criticizing her university’s response to the pro-Palestinian movement.
Many are questioning the validity of the claims made against her.
University responds to the arrest
Tufts University has publicly acknowledged Ozturk’s arrest. President Sunil Kumar stated that the school had no prior knowledge of the incident.
“The university had no pre-knowledge of this incident and did not share any information with federal authorities prior to the event.”
Kumar added: “We recognize how frightening and distressing this situation is for her, her loved ones, and the larger community here at Tufts, especially our international students, staff, and faculty who may be feeling vulnerable or unsettled by these events.”
The arrest has drawn attention from political figures as well.
Democratic Representative Ayanna Pressley described the incident as a “horrifying violation” of Ozturk’s rights.
She called for her immediate release, stating that the government should not be detaining students who have legal status in the country.
Pressley continued: “We won’t stand by while the Trump Administration continues to abduct students with legal status and attack our fundamental freedoms.”