Somerville, Massachusetts — Hundreds gathered on March 26 to advocate for the release of Rümeysa Öztürk, a Tufts University doctoral student and Turkish national who was recently detained by federal agents. Her arrest, which took place a day earlier, has sparked significant backlash amid claims that it was retaliation for her outspoken views on the Israel-Palestine conflict.

A federal judge in Vermont ordered Öztürk’s immediate release, signaling a critical challenge to the government’s handling of such cases. U.S. District Judge William K. Sessions ruled that her detention seemed driven primarily by her political speech, particularly an op-ed she published that criticized university officials for their response to the ongoing war in Gaza. This ruling raises important questions about the boundaries of free speech and the rights of noncitizens in the United States.

During the court proceedings, Judge Sessions emphasized that the government failed to present solid evidence suggesting Öztürk posed any risk. He criticized the lack of substantive justification for her detention, underscoring that her only offense appeared to be her expression of political opinions in a public forum. “The court finds that Ms. Öztürk has raised a substantial claim of a constitutional violation,” Sessions noted.

Öztürk’s case is emblematic of broader issues surrounding federal immigration policies under the previous administration, which sought to deport individuals based on perceived threats to national interests. Last week, a judge ordered the release of another student, Mohsen Mahdawi, in a separate but related case, highlighting a pattern of similar legal challenges.

While Öztürk’s release marks a temporary victory, the threat of deportation still looms. Her lawyer, Mahsa Khanbabai, expressed both relief and frustration over the situation, emphasizing that Öztürk’s detention for political expression represents a troubling trend. “When did advocating for human rights become a crime?” Khanbabai asked, reflecting the sentiments of many who rallied in Öztürk’s support.

Öztürk, who appeared in court via Zoom from an immigration facility in Louisiana, detailed the harsh conditions of her confinement. She faced significant health challenges, including worsening asthma, exacerbated by her crowded and unsanitary living environment. Her testimony illustrated not just the legal struggles but the human cost of such detention policies.

The Department of Homeland Security has not directly responded to the judge’s ruling but maintains a stance that visas for foreign students are privileges that can be rescinded. The agency has previously associated Öztürk’s activities with a supposed threat to U.S. foreign policy, though advocates argue that such claims are unfounded and serve only to stifle dissent.

As Öztürk’s legal journey continues, her case may serve as a pivotal moment for activists and advocates concerned about free speech and immigrant rights. Legal arguments concerning her constitutional protections are set to unfold later this month in Burlington, Vermont, where the court will further consider the implications of her detention and the government’s broader crackdown on dissenting voices.