Supporters in Somerville organized a welcome home event for Ozturk, celebrating her significance to the community and advocating for the rights of others still detained.

In her closing remarks, Ozturk urged the public not to forget the women she met in detention, highlighting their suffering and the preventable nature of their pain.

The State Department had raised concerns about Ozturk's actions potentially undermining U.S. foreign policy, claiming she supported Hamas, a designated terrorist group, but did not provide specific evidence.

Ozturk's case highlights ongoing issues related to the treatment of international students and immigration enforcement practices in the United States.

Her detention has been described by supporters as part of a politically motivated crackdown on free speech, particularly against pro-Palestine sentiments.

White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller criticized the judge's ruling, suggesting it was part of a broader judicial challenge to the Trump administration's immigration policies.

Her detention followed a pro-Palestinian op-ed she co-authored, which sparked concerns regarding her First Amendment rights and due process.

The case has drawn significant attention, underscoring the implications for free speech and immigration rights amid rising political tensions.

Advocates emphasize the urgency of protecting free speech, as Ozturk's case raises broader concerns about civil liberties in the U.S.

A Vermont federal judge released Rumeysa Ozturk, a Turkish Tufts University student, on May 9, 2025, after she was detained for over six weeks in a Louisiana immigration center following her arrest in Somerville, Massachusetts.

Her situation has become emblematic of opposition to the Trump administration's immigration policies, which critics argue violate due process.

Ozturk's attorney, Mahsa Khanbabai, called for a shift in government resources away from targeting international students and towards addressing genuine national security threats.