Federal Judge Grants Bail to Tufts Student Detained by ICE

A federal judge in Vermont has agreed to a bail request from a Tufts University student held by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Judge William K. Sessions III, appointed by former President Barack Obama, approved Lumeisa Ozturk’s bail on Friday. He expressed concerns over significant due process and First Amendment issues raised by her arrest. Ozturk, who holds a student visa, is not a US citizen.

Judge Sessions ordered her immediate release, stating she did not pose a danger to the community or a flight risk. He mentioned that he would be available for review and would consider modest restrictions if ICE requested them.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), which represented Ozturk in court, expressed satisfaction with the ruling, calling it a positive outcome.

“Lumeisa can return to her beloved Tufts community, resume her research, and start teaching again. We couldn’t be more pleased,” remarked Noor Zafar, a senior staff lawyer at ACLU. “Today’s decision underscores fundamental First Amendment principles. No one should be imprisoned for expressing their beliefs.”

Öztürk was taken into custody by ICE agents on March 26. Federal authorities have previously accused her of supporting Hamas, a classification she denies. She co-authored an article in the Tufts student newspaper, urging a break from Israel and critiquing the response to the Israeli-Hamas conflict.

This story is still developing.