Age 30 Rumeysa Ozturk is a Turkish student who recently went missing after getting detained while heading back to break her Ramadan fast, find out more below
The Ph.D. student at Tufts University notably has a strong academic background and is known for her advocacy on social justice issues.
US authorities detained and revoked the visa of Turkish doctoral student Rumeysa Ozturk from Tufts University over her alleged Hamas support. Ozturk has a visa allowing her to study in the United States and is residing in the country on an F-1 student visa.
Who is Rumeysa Ozturk as video of Tufts University student being detained by ICE officials goes viral, bio, age, boyfriend, education, nationality and religion
Turkish PhD student Rumeysa Ozturk was detained by masked U.S. ICE agents yesterday while heading to an Iftar dinner in Massachusetts.
Ozturk, who held a valid F-1 visa and studied at Tufts University, was reportedly being watched for two days before her arrest.
She was on the… pic.twitter.com/eL92GyKE3J
— Clash Report (@clashreport) March 26, 2025
HAPPENING NOW: Thousands of protestors call for the release of Rumeysa Ozturk in Somerville, MA. The Tufts grad student was abducted by ICE last night after publishing an article that was critical of Israel and supportive of BDS. pic.twitter.com/r1577etZJz
— BreakThrough News (@BTnewsroom) March 26, 2025
Rumeysa’s recent detention by federal authorities has raised significant concerns regarding her whereabouts and legal status in the United States.
Rumeysa Ozturk goes missing after getting detained
Federal agents on March 25, 2025, detained Rumeysa Ozturk on Tuesday while she was on her way to break her Ramadan fast with her friends. According to reports, the authorities arrested Ozturk despite his holding a valid F-1 student visa. Several agents from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) apprehended her near her home.
Ozturk’s attorney, Mahsa Khanbabai, confirmed the detention but also noted that Ozturk’s family and legal team haven’t been able to contact her ever since the arrest. Ozturk is currently in ICE custody, according to the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainee locator system. However, there are no specific details available regarding her detention, and authorities have not filed any formal charges against her.
In response to the arrest, her attorney has filed a habeas petition in federal court in Massachusetts, seeking her immediate release. Meanwhile, Judge Indira Talwani has temporarily blocked any attempt to transfer Ozturk out of the District of Massachusetts without prior notice to the court. The judge emphasized the court’s ability to intervene in certain legal matters. As of now, Tufts University officials have expressed deep concern over the situation. The University President Sunil Kumar, stated how the institution had no prior knowledge of her detention.
🚨URGENT: MPAC demands the immediate release of Rumeysa Ozturk, a Tufts student and F-1 visa holder abducted by DHS agents with no charges—on her way to an Iftar.
This is a chilling violation of civil liberties during Ramadan.
📢 Speak out. Call your Reps. #freerumeysa pic.twitter.com/qqLKJOhCVL
— MPAC (@mpac_national) March 26, 2025
Rumeysa Ozturk bio
Age 30 Turkish national Rumeysa Ozturk who is a Muslim by religion, a resident of Somerville with a valid F-1 student status, is being held in Lousiana, ICE’s website indicates.
Ozturk, 30, is a Fulbright Scholar and student in Tufts’ doctoral program for Child Study and Human Development, according to her LinkedIn. Details about her relationship status and if she’s single or married aren’t known.
Rumeysa Ozturk is a student at Tufts University in Turkey who was born and raised in Turkey. Ozturk built a strong academic career in the United States and has been passionate about child development. Over the years, she has actively engaged in social justice initiatives and earned significant recognition for her scholarly work. Over the years, Ozturk has been vocal about social and political issues.
Education
Ozturk currently holds a master’s degree from Columbia University’s Teachers College. She mainly studied on education and child development. She is currently pursuing a PhD at Tufts University, specializing in child study and human development.