US judge orders transfer of Rumeysa Ozturk from Louisiana to Vermont

A federal judge has ordered the government to transfer pro-Palestine Turkish student Rumeysa Ozturk to Vermont for a court to assess her legal challenges related to her detention, citing significant evidence that her constitutional rights have been violated. Ozturk was arrested in March and had her visa revoked after criticizing Tufts University for dismissing a student government resolution calling for divestment from Israeli companies. Supporters believe she was targeted for her activism. The judge has called for Ozturk’s case to be heard in court, giving the government until May 1 to transfer her with a bond hearing scheduled for May 9. Critics argue she was targeted as part of a larger crackdown on foreign students protesting Israel’s actions in Gaza. Ozturk’s detention is being challenged through a habeas corpus petition, with advocates noting that immigration judges often support the decisions of the executive branch, making appeals difficult. The Trump administration has emphasized its authority over immigration issues, invoking a provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act to authorize deportations. However, the judge has rejected the idea that detained immigrants can have their constitutional rights ignored due to administrative processes, potentially impacting Ozturk and others facing deportation. The ruling highlights concerns about the government’s power to detain individuals for extended periods, even if it violates their constitutional rights.

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