President Donald Trump returned to the White House in January 2025. In his campaign, he stressed the idea of enforcing border control and improving the economy. The administration has been working to undo the policies created by the previous Biden Administration.
Within just days of being in office, Trump signed a series of executive orders, some of which focused on border controls. One of the orders was directed towards the Department of Homeland Security to deploy more National Guard units at the southern border, expand detention facilities, and increase deportation flights. Supporters believe these actions will help secure the border, while others feel it could lead to unfair and cruel treatment of migrants.
Beyond policy changes at the federal level, these new rules have also affected people across the country. Inside the country, the immigration laws have been strictly enforced. ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) States with “sanctuary” laws have had disputes with federal agencies, which have led to legal conflicts between them.
Rümeysa Öztürk is a student at Tufts University. She is working to earn her Ph.D. at the Graduate School of Arts and sciences. She had an F-1 student visa. On March 25, 2025, Öztürk was walking in Somerville when she was quickly approached by disguised police who then took her into custody. Her student visa was revoked by the U.S. State Department shortly before or during the arrest. After her arrest, Öztürk was moved to a detention center in Louisiana despite the federal court in MA ordering not to do so.
The government revoked Öztürk’s visa due to the pro-Palestinian activism she had engaged in. Öztürk’s lawyers argued that this arrest went against her First Amendment rights. This case sparked much controversy in the state and government. Some thought that this arrest, along with hundreds in the country, was inhumane, whereas others firmly trusted the president and his administration’s choices. This specific case sparked protests around the state and at Tufts.
Many republicans trust that the government was right to act cautiously with Öztürk. From their perspective, immigration laws should be applied equally toward everyone, including students or visa holders, and national security must come before public opinion.
The detention of Rümeysa Öztürk highlights how President Trump’s policies iare reshaping the nations approach of national security and freedom of speech. Additionally, it shows how individual cases can lead to differences in opinions and debate in the country.
