During a recent court hearing, a tense exchange unfolded between a federal attorney and Appeals Judge Barrington Parker regarding the free speech protections of detained Tufts University student Rumeysa Öztürk. Öztürk, a Turkish national, was detained by immigration authorities in March after the Trump administration revoked her student visa. This action arose from claims that she was involved in activities that could disrupt U.S. foreign policy, primarily linked to an op-ed critical of Tufts’ response to the war in Gaza. The government attorney struggled to assert whether Öztürk’s speech was protected, asserting he lacked the authority to make that determination.
Öztürk is currently held in a Louisiana detention center, far from where she was arrested, and is battling deportation. Reports indicate she faces health issues, including asthma attacks, due to poor living conditions in detention. Her lawyers argue for her transfer to Vermont, which has received support from a U.S. District Judge.
Simultaneously, the Second Circuit addressed the case of Mohsen Mahdawi, a Columbia University student detained during a naturalization interview. Mahdawi, who has been involved in pro-Palestinian activism, was recently released on bail, and his attorney emphasized the importance of liberty in free speech. The government contends that his release complicates his removal proceedings, citing potential risks to U.S. foreign policy.
Judge Crawford, who ordered Mahdawi’s release, referenced historical government actions aimed at suppressing dissent, comparing the current situation to the Second Red Scare. Mahdawi conveyed his defiance, making it clear he would not be intimidated by government actions. The hearings underscore ongoing tensions between immigration enforcement and civil liberties, particularly regarding free speech on college campuses.
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