Öztürk’s Journey: Finally Arrives at Logan Airport After 6 Long Weeks in ICE Detention

Tufts University student Rümeysa Öztürk returned to Boston on Saturday night after spending six weeks in a Louisiana immigration detention center. Her return came just a day after a federal judge in Vermont ordered her release.

Dressed in green, Öztürk approached the podium at Logan Airport, flanked by her lawyers and Massachusetts congressional representatives. She expressed her relief at being home and gratitude for the support she received during her ordeal. Despite her time in a crowded cell and battling asthma attacks, she remained optimistic.

“America is the greatest democracy in the world. I believe in those values that we share,” she stated confidently. “I have faith in the American system of justice.”

Rep. Ayanna Pressley, who visited Öztürk during her detention, welcomed her back warmly. “We never forgot about you. You are loved, you are seen, and we will not rest until your visa is restored,” she promised.

Sen. Ed Markey echoed this sentiment, praising Öztürk for her strength. “You have made millions proud with your fight against injustice,” he said.

Öztürk’s legal battles are far from over. She is set to return to court later this month to challenge the legality of her detention. U.S. District Judge William Sessions highlighted concerns regarding potential violations of her due process and free speech rights.

Öztürk’s arrest followed the government’s sudden decision to revoke her visa, a move she claimed was made without notice. Immigration officials argued that an opinion piece she co-wrote, which criticized Israel, indicated her connections to groups that might undermine U.S. foreign policy. However, in court, Judge Sessions noted that he had seen no evidence to support this claim beyond the article itself.

The government is still planning to deport Öztürk, and her case has drawn significant attention, especially given the Trump administration’s scrutiny of international students exercising their First Amendment rights.

As she concluded her speech, Öztürk reflected on the women she met in detention. “Please don’t forget about all these wonderful women in the immigration system,” she urged. “I witnessed so much pain that is truly preventable.”

Recent statistics show that detention rates for immigrants have risen sharply in the U.S., raising questions about due process and human rights. According to a 2022 report from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), many detainees face similar challenges, highlighting systemic issues within the immigration system.

Öztürk’s story sheds light on the struggles many face when navigating immigration and civil rights in America today, revealing the urgent need for reform and greater accountability.



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