A heated exchange occurred during a Second Circuit Court hearing regarding the free speech rights of detained Tufts University student Rumeysa Öztürk. Öztürk, a Turkish national, was arrested by immigration authorities on March 25 after the Trump administration revoked her student visa. The revocation was based on claims by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) that her associations could “undermine U.S. foreign policy” and support terrorist organizations. This included her op-ed criticizing Tufts’ response to the Gaza conflict.
During the appeal, Appeals Judge Barrington Parker pressed the Justice Department for clarity on whether Öztürk’s speech was protected. Attorney Drew Ensign refused to take a stance, stating he lacked authority. Meanwhile, Öztürk has been held at a Louisiana detention center, suffering asthma attacks and adverse living conditions, as her lawyers seek a transfer to Vermont, the last state she was in before her move to Louisiana.
Simultaneously, arguments were ongoing regarding the detention of Columbia University student Mohsen Mahdawi, arrested by DHS while interviewing for naturalization on April 14. Mahdawi, a Palestinian refugee and prominent activist, was released on bail but the government argued his release would disrupt removal proceedings. His lawyer argued that further detention would infringe on free speech rights.
Federal Judge Geoffrey W. Crawford compared the current political climate to the Red Scare, criticizing government actions aimed at suppressing debate. In a defiant statement post-release, Mahdawi expressed his determination to stand against perceived government intimidation. The cases highlight ongoing tensions over immigration, free speech, and political activism in the U.S.
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