Story perspectives

Turkish Academic Arrested Amid Controversy Over Op-Ed

12/12/2025

33 4

Summary

Story summary

In March 2025, federal agents arrested Rumeysa Ozturk, a Turkish academic, in Somerville, Massachusetts.
Critics say the arrest lacked evidence and reflected President Donald Trump's crackdown on international students critical of Israel.
Ozturk spent more than six weeks in ICE detention before a judge ruled the arrest stemmed from her op-ed.
A judge ordered restoration of her student records, which had been terminated and limited her work in the U.S.

1 of 1

Story summary

In March 2025, federal agents arrested Rumeysa Ozturk, a Turkish academic, in Somerville, Massachusetts.
Critics say the arrest lacked evidence and reflected President Donald Trump's crackdown on international students critical of Israel.
Ozturk spent more than six weeks in ICE detention before a judge ruled the arrest stemmed from her op-ed.
A judge ordered restoration of her student records, which had been terminated and limited her work in the U.S.