Homeland Security agent says he was told not to inform Rümeysa Öztürk her visa was revoked when she was arrested
SOMERVILLE, MASSACHUSETTS, JUL 16 – Agent Brian Cunningham testified that he sought legal confirmation before arresting Rümeysa Öztürk, whose visa was revoked after co-authoring a pro-Palestinian op-ed amid a broader policy targeting speech.
- A Homeland Security Investigation agent testified that federal investigators were instructed to prioritize the arrest of university student Rümeysa Öztürk for her advocacy against the Israeli government.
- Agent Cunningham stated that leadership decided not to inform Öztürk about her revoked visa prior to her arrest, marking a shift for the agency under President Donald Trump.
- Öztürk's attorney, Mahsa Khanbabai, noted that the testimony confirmed the belief that Öztürk was targeted for her free speech against the Israeli government.
- Öztürk was approached by a plain-clothed officer near her Somerville, Massachusetts, home during her arrest in March.
25 Articles
25 Articles

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Homeland Security agent said he had to ask a lawyer if Öztürk’s arrest was legal after orders to prioritize her case
During a federal trial challenging the Trump administration’s efforts to deport pro-Palestinian activists, an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent on Tuesday testified that the orders to target Tufts University doctoral student Rumeysa Öztürk were so unconventional that he had to seek confirmation on the legality of the arrest.
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