Rümeysa Öztürk, Tufts student held by Ice, released from Louisiana jail

PhD student arrested in March for political speech released on Friday after federal judge’s ruling

from #TheGuardian #Guardian
Maya Yang and Noa Yachot in New York and agencies
Fri 9 May 2025 19.32 EDT

"#RümeysaÖztürk, the #Tufts University student arrested in March for her political speech, has been released from the Louisiana detention center where she was being held in what she and her lawyers had argued was a breach of her constitutional rights."

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/may/09/trump-tufts-student-deportation-rumeysa-ozturk?CMP=share_btn_url

#DefendAcademicFreedom
#ReleaseMahmoudKhalil
#repression
#NoDeportationOfRümeysaÖztürk
#StopTheDeportations
#DefendFreeSpeech
#ProtestIsNotACrime
#DefendStudentProtesters
#NeverStopTalkingAboutPalestine
#DefendRuleOfLaw
#USA #US #USPolitics #politics #Trump
#news #press @palestine

Tufts student released from US immigration custody after judge's order

from #Reuters
By Nate Raymond
May 9, 20258:09 PM EDT

***Summary***
* #RumeysaOzturk ordered released immediately from Louisiana detention center
* Ozturk was detained after pro-#Palestinian campus advocacy
* Judge said her detention chills free speech of non-citizens

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/tufts-student-detained-by-us-immigration-authorities-must-be-released-judge-2025-05-09/

#NoDeportationForRümeysaÖztürk
#DefendAcademicFreedom
#ReleaseMahmoudKhalil
#repression
#NoDeportationForMohsenMahdawi
#StopTheDeportations
#DefendFreeSpeech
#ProtestIsNotACrime
#DefendStudentProtesters
#NeverStopTalkingAboutPalestine
#DefendRuleOfLaw
#USA #US #USPolitics #politics #Trump
#news #press @palestine

Court orders detained #Tufts student Rümeysa Öztürk returned to #Vermont

Lawyers say the Turkish national, who has been held in a Louisiana Ice center for two weeks, was illegally detained

from #TheGuardian #Guardian
Sam Levine and agencies
Wed 7 May 2025 12.35 EDT

"A federal appeals court on Wednesday granted a judge’s order to bring a #Turkish #TuftsUniversity student from a #Louisiana immigration detention center back to New England for hearings to determine whether her rights were violated.

A judicial panel ... ruled in the case of #RümeysaÖztürk after lawyers representing her and the US justice department presented arguments at a hearing on Tuesday."

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/may/07/detained-tufts-student-rumeysa-ozturk-ruling?CMP=share_btn_url

#DefendAcademicFreedom
#ReleaseMahmoudKhalil
#repression
#ReleaseRümeysaÖztürk
#StopTheDeportations
#DefendFreeSpeech
#ProtestIsNotACrime
#DefendStudentProtesters
#NeverStopTalkingAboutPalestine
#DefendRuleOfLaw
#USA #US #USPolitics #politics #Trump
#news #press @palestine

#Michigan AG Drops Charges Against Pro-Palestinian Campus Protesters

"Our First Amendment rights should never be criminalized. Speaking up against genocide should be lifted up, not slammed with felony charges. #Palestinians deserve safety and dignity," said Rep. #RashidaTlaib.

from #CommonDreams
Jessica Corbett
May 05, 2025

Jessica Corbett
May 05, 2025

"Advocates for student protesters and other critics of the U.S.-backed #Israeli assault on the #Gaza Strip celebrated on Monday after Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel dropped all charges against seven people arrested last year at the #UniversityOfMichigan amid allegations of bias that the #Democrat rejected. "

https://www.commondreams.org/news/university-of-michigan-gaza

#DefendAcademicFreedom
#ReleaseMahmoudKhalil
#repression
#ReleaseRümeysaÖztürk
#StopTheDeportations
#DefendFreeSpeech
#ProtestIsNotACrime
#DefendStudentProtesters
#NeverStopTalkingAboutPalestine
#DefendRuleOfLaw
#USA #US #USPolitics #politics #Trump
#news #press @palestine

Detained #Columbia student #MohsenMahdawi speaks from prison
[on April 29, before he was freed on April 30]

from #NPR #NationalPublicRadio [USA]

https://www.npr.org/transcripts/nx-s1-5377484

#StopGazaGenocide
#DefendAcademicFreedom
#ReleaseMahmoudKhalil
#repression
#ReleaseRümeysaÖztürk
#StopTheDeportations
#DefendFreeSpeech
#ProtestIsNotACrime
#DefendStudentProtesters
#NeverStopTalkingAboutPalestine
#DefendRuleOfLaw
#ICE
#USA #US #USPolitics #politics #Trump
#news #press @palestine

#Democratic lawmakers call for release of #Tufts student from #ICE detention

Jim McGovern and Ayanna Pressley exhort authorities to free Rümeysa Öztürk, calling her treatment ‘repression’

from #TheGuardian #Guardian
Anna Betts
Fri 25 Apr 2025 13.02 EDT

A group of high-profile Democratic lawmakers has called on the Donald #Trump administration to immediately release the #TuftsUniversity graduate student #RümeysaÖztürk, praised her “unwavering spirit” and warned that the White House is engaging in “repression”.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/apr/25/trump-tufts-rumeysa-ozturk-ice?CMP=share_btn_url

#DefendAcademicFreedom
#ReleaseMahmoudKhalil
#repression
#ReleaseMohsenMahdawi
#ReleaseRümeysaÖztürk
#StopTheDeportations
#DefendFreeSpeech
#ProtestIsNotACrime
#DefendStudentProtesters
#NeverStopTalkingAboutPalestine
#DefendRuleOfLaw
#USA #US #USPolitics #politics #Trump
#news #press @palestine

Michigan's #Democratic AG Under Fire After Armed Agents Raid Homes of Palestine Defenders

"We are totally convinced that, but for their viewpoints, these students would not have been targeted," said one attorney.

Brett Wilkins
Apr 23, 2025

" Federal and local law enforcement officers smashed their way into the #Michigan homes of pro-#Palestine student organizers on Wednesday in what the state attorney general's office said was a vandalism probe—but critics called an attack on dissent against #Israel's genocidal assault on #Gaza. "

https://www.commondreams.org/news/michigan-raids-palestine

#DefendAcademicFreedom
#ReleaseMahmoudKhalil
#repression
#ReleaseMohsenMahdawi
#ReleaseRümeysaÖztürk
#StopTheDeportations
#DefendFreeSpeech
#ProtestIsNotACrime
#DefendStudentProtesters
#NeverStopTalkingAboutPalestine
#DefendRuleOfLaw
#StopGazaGenocide
#USA #US #USPolitics #politics #DanaNessel #Trump
#news #press @palestine

Detained #Turkish student must be transferred from #Louisiana for hearing, judge rules

#RümeysaÖztürk was taken by #immigration officials over what her lawyers say was apparent retaliation for op-ed

from #AssociatedPress #AP #APNews
via #TheGuardian
Fri 18 Apr 2025 18.40 EDT

"A federal judge on Friday ordered that a #Turkish #TuftsUniversity student detained by immigration authorities in Louisiana be brought to #Vermont by 1 May for a hearing over what her lawyers say was apparent retaliation for an op-ed piece she co-wrote in the student newspaper."

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/apr/18/tufts-student-judge-hearing?CMP=share_btn_url

#Release Rümeysa Öztürk
#DefendAcademicFreedom
#ReleaseMahmoudKhalil
#repression
#ReleaseMohsenMahdawi
#StopTheDeportations
#DefendFreeSpeech
#ProtestIsNotACrime
#DefendStudentProtesters
#NeverStopTalkingAboutPalestine
#DefendRuleOfLaw
#USA #US #USPolitics #Trump
#news #press @palestine

"Come for one, face us all."

from #TheWire
[online publication of #JewishVoiceForPeace #JVP in #USA]

"Desperate to crush popular and growing opposition to #Israel’s genocide, the #Trump regime is shredding our First Amendment rights.

But we’re not backing down. Shortly after Mohsen was arrested, over a thousand Jews and allies gathered for an emergency Passover seder outside ICE headquarters in NYC to demand his and other student activists’ release.

Our message is clear: “Come for one, face us all.”"

https://www.jewishvoiceforpeace.org/2025/04/16/come-for-one-face-us-all/

#DefendAcademicFreedom
#ReleaseMahmoudKhalil
#ReleaseMohsenMahdawi
#repression
#StopTheDeportations
#DefendFreeSpeech
#ProtestIsNotACrime
#DefendStudentProtesters
#NeverStopTalkingAboutPalestine
#StopTheDeportations
#DefendRuleOfLaw
#RestoreFundsToUNRWA
#SolidarityWithPalestine is #NotAntisemitism
#USA #US #USPolitics #Trump
#news #press
@palestine @israel

Harvard University punished with $2b funding freeze for defying Trump

Freeze followed a letter sent on Monday to the Trump administration saying it rejects the government’s demands

from #MiddleEastEye #MEE
By Syma Mohammed
Published date: 15 April 2025 21:30 BST

"The freeze, representing 35.9 percent of #Harvard's $6.4bn operating expenses, immediately followed a letter on Monday from #HarvardUniversity lawyers to the #Trump administration, stating that it rejected the government’s demands.

The letter, issued by Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan and LLP King & Spalding LLP, said that “The university will not surrender its independence or relinquish its constitutional rights.”"

https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/harvard-university-punished-2b-funding-freeze-defying-trump

#DefendAcademicFreedom
#ReleaseMahmoudKhalil
#repression
#FreeMahdawi
#StopTheDeportations
#DefendFreeSpeech
#ProtestIsNotACrime
#DefendStudentProtesters
#NeverStopTalkingAboutPalestine
#USA #US #USPolitics
#news #press @palestine

'Immoral, Inhumane, and Illegal': #ICE Arrests Palestinian #Columbia Protest Leader

"He came to this country hoping to be free to speak out about the atrocities he has witnessed, only to be punished for such speech," said Mohsen Mahdawi's lawyer.

from #CommonDreams
Julia Conley
Apr 14, 2025

"A month after the international far-right pro-Israel group #Betar named #ColumbiaUniversity student #MohsenMahdawi as the next target in its campaign to push for the deportation of #Palestinian rights defenders, #Mahdawi was arrested Monday at an immigration office in Colchester, Vermont, where he had arrived to complete a test to be a naturalized U.S. citizen. "

https://www.commondreams.org/news/mohsen-mahdawi

#DefendAcademicFreedom
#ReleaseMahmoudKhalil
#repression
#FreeMahdawi
#StopTheDeportations
#DefendFreeSpeech
#ProtestIsNotACrime
#DefendStudentProtesters
#NeverStopTalkingAboutPalestine
#USA #US #USPolitics #Trump
#news #press @palestine

A Palestinian activist expecting a US citizenship interview is arrested instead by #ICE in Vermont

from #AssociatedPress #AP #APNews
By PATRICK WHITTLE and HOLLY RAMER
Updated 6:04 PM EDT, April 14, 2025

"A #Palestinian man who led protests against the war in #Gaza as a student at #ColumbiaUniversity was arrested Monday at a Vermont immigration office where he expected to be interviewed about finalizing his U.S. citizenship, his attorneys said.

Mohsen Mahdawi, a legal permanent resident who has held a green card since 2015, was detained at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services office in Colchester by #ImmigrationAndCustomsEnforcement agents, his lawyers said. "

https://apnews.com/article/immigration-palestine-protest-trump-deportation-columbia-fca7e73fe2cbd616c1eacf3bdececdbe?utm_source=copy&utm_medium=share

#DefendAcademicFreedom
#ReleaseMahmoudKhalil
#repression
#DefendFreeSpeech #StopTheDeportations
#ProtestIsNotACrime
#DefendStudentProtesters
#NeverStopTalkingAboutPalestine
#Gaza #Israel #Palestine #MiddleEast #politics
#USA #US #USPolitics #Trump
#news #press @palestine

Pro-#Palestinian protester’s lawyer stopped and searched at US border: ‘They were going to take my device’

Amir Makled says immigration officials questioned him about his phone’s contents. Experts warn fourth amendment rights have been weakened at the border

from #TheGuardian #Guardian
Johana Bhuiyan
Sat 12 Apr 2025 08.00 EDT

"#AmirMakled thought he was being racially profiled. A Lebanese American who was born and raised in Detroit, the attorney was returning home from a family vacation in the Dominican Republic when he said an immigration official at the Detroit Metro airport asked for a “TTRT” agent after scanning his passport on Sunday. Makled said the expression on the agent’s face changed. He felt something “odd” was happening."

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/apr/12/amir-makled-phone-search-border-immigration?CMP=share_btn_url

#DefendAcademicFreedom
#ReleaseMahmoudKhalil
#repression
#CivilLiberties
#DefendFreeSpeech
#ProtestIsNotACrime
#DefendStudentProtesters
#NeverStopTalkingAboutPalestine
#USA #US #USPolitics #Trump
#news #press @palestine

Judge gives Trump administration deadline to justify Mahmoud Khalil’s deportation

Jamee Comans said if evidence does not support deportation, she may rule for #Columbia graduate’s release

from #TheGuardian #Guardian
Delaney Nolan in Jena, Louisiana
Tue 8 Apr 2025 17.04 EDT

"An #immigration judge ruled on Tuesday that the #Trump administration has until 5pm on Wednesday to present evidence as to why #MahmoudKhalil, the #Palestinian activist and #ColumbiaUniversity graduate, should be deported. She said that if the evidence does not support deportation, she may rule on Friday on his release from immigration detention."

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/apr/08/mahmoud-khalil-deportation-judge-deadline-trump?CMP=share_btn_url

#DefendAcademicFreedom
#ReleaseMahmoudKhalil
#repression
#DefendFreeSpeech
#ProtestIsNotACrime
#DefendStudentProtesters
#NeverStopTalkingAboutPalestine
#Gaza #Israel #Palestine #MiddleEast #WestAsia #politics
#USA #US #USPolitics
#news #press @palestine

Pro-#Palestine activists targeted for deportation hit out at #German state repression

Irish, Polish and US citizens tell MEE that #Germany and the West is in a 'fascism pipeline'

from #MiddleEastEye #MEE
By Sal Ahmed in Berlin
Published date: 7 April 2025 16:05 BST

"On a video call, two EU nationals and an American recently served with deportation orders by Berlin’s state government for attending demonstrations against #Israel’s war on #Gaza told MEE they strongly reject accusations of #antisemitism and indirect support for #Hamas.

https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/germany-palestine-activists-deportation-state-repression

#DefendAcademicFreedom
#repression
#DefendFreeSpeech
#DefendStudentProtesters
#NeverStopTalkingAboutPalestine
#MiddleEast #WestAsia #politics
#news #press @palestine

Mahmoud Khalil says his arrest was part of ‘Columbia’s repression playbook’

Green-card holder and activist led campus pro-Palestinian rallies and is now fighting Trump effort to deport him

from #TheGuardian #Guardian
Edward Helmore
Sat 5 Apr 2025 18.17 EDT

#MahmoudKhalil, the #Columbia University student activist who led campus pro-#Palestinian rallies and is now resisting the #Trump administration’s deportation efforts, has accused the university of laying “the groundwork for my abduction” and called on the student body to continue demonstrations and protests.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/apr/05/mahmoud-khalil-columbia-university?CMP=share_btn_url

#DefendAcademicFreedom
#ReleaseMahmoudKhalil
#repression
#DefendFreeSpeech
#ProtestIsNotACrime
#DefendStudentProtesters
#NeverStopTalkingAboutPalestine
#Gaza #Israel #Palestine #MiddleEast #WestAsia #politics
#USA #US #USPolitics #Trump
#news #press @palestine

US: #NewJersey school slammed for 'anti-#Palestinian' assignment on activist #MahmoudKhalil

Educational advocates and parents said the student project was an attempt to manipulate students with false information

from #MiddleEastEye #MEE
https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/us-new-jersey-school-slammed-anti-palestinian-assignment-paper

#DefendAcademicFreedom
#ReleaseMahmoudKhalil
#repression
#DefendFreeSpeech
#ProtestIsNotACrime
#DefendStudentProtesters
#NeverStopTalkingAboutPalestine
#USA #US #USPolitics #Trump
#news #press @palestine

US: #TuftsUniversity student detained for pro-#Palestine views transferred to Louisiana

The #Turkish national's lawyer said she had been moved to the southern state but a judge ordered her to remain in Massachusetts

from #MiddleEastEye #MEE

By Syma Mohammed
Published date: 26 March 2025 21:18 GMT

"Masked Immigration and Customs Enforcement (#ICE) agents approached and physically restrained the #Tufts University doctoral student while on the street in Somerville, Massachusetts, on Wednesday before taking her into custody for “pro-Palestine” views. She is being held at the South Louisiana Processing Center."

https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/tufts-university-student-detained-pro-palestine-views-transferred

#DefendAcademicFreedom
#repression
#DefendFreeSpeech
#ProtestIsNotACrime
#DefendStudentProtesters
#NeverStopTalkingAboutPalestine
#SolidarityWithPalestine is #NotAntisemitism
#EqualRightsForAllFromTheRiverToTheSea is #NotAntisemitic
#Gaza #Israel #Palestine #MiddleEast #WestAsia #politics
#USA #US #USPolitics
#news #press @palestine

Exclusive: As Trump Threatens to Deport Him, Momodou Taal Says It’s “Time to Escalate for Palestine”

A #Cornell student suing the #Trump administration over free speech — and now facing deportation threats — shares his story on The Intercept Briefing.

from #TheIntercept
March 24 2025, 6:00 a.m.

"“Anything that shows solidarity of #Palestine is being mischaracterized quite erroneously as #antisemitism. That’s the way in which they are trying to get us to stop speaking about Palestine,” he says."

https://theintercept.com/2025/03/24/briefing-podcast-momodou-taal/

#DefendMomodouTaal
#DefendAcademicFreedom
#repression
#DefendFreeSpeech
#ProtestIsNotACrime
#DefendStudentProtesters
#NeverStopTalkingAboutPalestine
#MomodouTaal
#SolidarityWithPalestine is #NotAntisemitism
#EqualRightsForAllFromTheRiverToTheSea is #NotAntisemitic
#JewHatredHurtsPalestine
#Gaza #Israel #MiddleEast #WestAsia #politics
#USA #US #USPolitics
#news #press @palestine

He Sued #Trump Over Free Speech. Then #ICE Demanded He Turn Himself In.

#Cornell student #MomodouTaal’s lawyers said the demand was “retribution” for his lawsuit against the crackdown on pro-#Palestine speech.

from #TheIntercept [may have paywall]
Jonah Valdez, Jessica Washington
March 21 2025, 5:34 p.m.

https://theintercept.com/2025/03/21/trump-free-speech-lawsuit-ice-momodou-taal/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=The%20Intercept%20Newsletter

#DefendAcademicFreedom
#repression
#DefendFreeSpeech
#ProtestIsNotACrime
#DefendStudentProtesters
#NeverStopTalkingAboutPalestine
#Gaza #Israel #Palestine #MiddleEast #WestAsia #politics
#USA #US #USPolitics
#news #press @palestine