Mass. lawmakers decry ‘harrowing’ conditions at ICE facility where Tufts student is being held

Three lawmakers from Massachusetts raised concerns about the detention of Tufts student Rümeysa Öztürk at an ICE facility in Louisiana. Senator Ed Markey, Representative Ayanna Pressley, and Representative Jim McGovern held a press conference at Logan Airport after visiting Öztürk and Columbia University student Mahmoud Khalil. Both students had their visas revoked due to their pro-Palestine activities, without being charged with a crime.

The lawmakers criticized the Trump administration for what they described as authoritarian actions aimed at stifling free speech. Öztürk, a Turkish Fulbright scholar pursuing a PhD at Tufts, was detained after writing a pro-Palestinian op-ed. The lawmakers visited the detention center where Öztürk is held, describing the conditions as harsh and the treatment of detainees as concerning.

Pressley mentioned that Öztürk is collecting stories from fellow detainees and advocating for better conditions, despite facing ridicule for being educated. The lawmakers accused ICE of rushing Öztürk’s case to a conservative judge in Louisiana. They emphasized that these cases should serve as a warning to all Americans about the erosion of due process and free speech rights.

The lawmakers vowed to continue advocating for Öztürk and Khalil’s release and highlighted the broader implications of targeting individuals for their activism. They urged Americans to pay attention to such cases, warning that anyone could be at risk if basic rights are not protected.