Washington, D.C. | www.mpac.org | March 26, 2025 — The Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC) demands the immediate release of Rumeysa Ozturk, a Turkish national and F-1 student visa holder at Tufts University, who was abducted by masked Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agents on March 25th while on her way to an Iftar gathering during the holy month of Ramadan. This arrest, made without any disclosed charges, is an alarming violation of civil liberties and due process, a cornerstone of American justice.
According to her attorney, Mahsa Khanbabai, no charges have been filed against Ms. Ozturk, raising serious concerns about the reasons for her detention. The tactics employed by the Department of Homeland Security mirror some of the darkest times in American history, including the internment of over 120,000 Japanese-Americans during WWII. Similarly, during the Soviet Purges, countless perceived political dissidents were arrested or vanished, many on the basis of fabricated charges, without fair trials. These historical examples underline the gravity of what is occurring throughout the United States and highlight the need for transparency and adherence to due process.
The administration must cease its targeting of Muslim and pro-Palestinian students based on their critical views of Israel. Such discriminatory practices not only undermine the principles of free speech and academic freedom but also perpetuate a climate of fear and repression among communities that are already vulnerable. The continued unlawful detention of individuals based on their political beliefs, particularly when those beliefs are expressed peacefully within academic settings, contravenes the very tenets of democracy that the United States strives to uphold.
This incident not only impacts Ms. Ozturk but also sends a chilling message to other students and activists, particularly those involved in political discourse and advocacy. The Administration promised a return to the rule of law, committing to deporting “gang members” and “human traffickers”’ but instead have directed law enforcement to target innocent, law-abiding students.
The Muslim Public Affairs Council calls on the Department of Homeland Security to immediately release Rumeysa Ozturk and restore her visa status. We also urge the academic community, civil rights organizations, and all concerned citizens to join us in defending the rights of all students and individuals by calling their Representatives and demanding action.