An update on Tufts student taken into custody

Update on Tufts student taken into custody

March 26, 2025

Dear members of the Tufts community,

We are writing to provide an update following President Kumar’s message yesterday evening.  We have recently learned and verified that Rumeysa Öztürk, the student who was detained by federal immigration authorities yesterday, is currently being held in Louisiana.

We recognize how frightening and distressing this situation is for her, her loved ones, and the larger community here at Tufts, especially our international students, staff, and faculty who may be feeling vulnerable or unsettled by these events. As noted by the Massachusetts Attorney General in her statement today, the footage of Rumeysa’s arrest is disturbing. We stand with our Muslim students, especially during their observance of Ramadan, as we recognize that Rumeysa was on her way to an Iftar gathering with friends at the Interfaith Center when she was detained.

We are in touch with local, state, and federal elected officials and hope that Rumeysa is provided the opportunity to avail herself of her due process rights. The university is actively working to support the Tufts community as it mobilizes its collective resources and contacts to ensure our students’ safety and wellbeing.

We want you to know, we are also here to support you—whether you are a student, or a staff or faculty member. Below, we are sharing the resources that the university is making available to all those who may be affected within our community.

Protocol for engaging with government officials 

We want to remind you that the university has an established protocol for responding to government officials who arrive on campus for an unannounced site visit; this protocol also applies to members of our community who encounter officials off campus. To activate that protocol, it is best to call the Tufts University Police Department at 617-627-3030 and inform the dispatcher, who will notify the appropriate university officials, including the Office of University Counsel, the International Center, and other relevant offices at the university. This line is staffed 24/7 and you will get an immediate response from a trained member of the Public Safety team. To the extent possible, and depending on the specifics of each situation, the university will provide relevant guidance, including possibly connecting individuals to external legal and immigration expertise and resources as needed.

Recommended documentation to prove immigration status 

  • Immigration law requires nonimmigrants and lawful permanent residents to carry proof of immigration registration. In particular, “every alien" 18 years of age and over must "carry with him and have in his personal possession" [his or her] "evidence of registration document "at all times," even during domestic travel and when going about daily activities.
  • More information on this requirement, including a list of acceptable documents, is available here:  Requirements to Carry Immigration Registration Document and Report Change of Address | NAFSA.  

Travel-related inquiries

The International Center has advised Tufts-sponsored visa holders to consult with the center prior to engaging in international travel.

Resources for Support

We also wanted to remind you of the support available on campus, which we shared yesterday:

  • The International Center is available to provide additional support and resources for their community, as well as to direct questions or concerns to partners on campus.
  • If you’re not sure what resources or supports are available, please connect with the corresponding resources available for your school as listed here.
  • For all members of the Tufts community, the University Chaplaincy can provide additional support regardless of denomination or belief.
  • Staff and faculty can access the Tufts Employee Assistance Program for support at any time.

Sincerely,

Sunil Kumar
President

Caroline Attardo Genco
Provost and Senior Vice President

Michael W. Howard
Executive Vice President

Denise E. Bates
Dean, University College

Helen W. Boucher
Dean, Tufts University School of Medicine and Chief Academic Officer, Tufts Medicine

Bárbara M. Brizuela
Dean, School of Arts and Sciences

Alastair Cribb
Dean, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine

Dayna L. Cunningham
Dean, Jonathan M. Tisch College of Civic Life

Christina Economos
Dean, Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy

Scheri Fultineer
Dean, School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts University

Kelly Sims Gallagher
Dean, The Fletcher School

Nadeem Karimbux
Dean, School of Dental Medicine

Kyongbum Lee
Dean, School of Engineering

Ayanna Thomas
Dean, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences