Tufts University President Sunil Kumar submitted a declaration to defend the detained Ph.D. student, Rumeysa Ozturk, emphasizing her due process rights and challenging ICE's removal actions. This step was taken amid controversy surrounding her detention and visa revocation, and reflects the university’s commitment to upholding free speech and protecting marginalized individuals.

Fox News reported that ICE detained a Tufts University student from Turkey in Somerville, Massachusetts. The university stated it had no prior knowledge of the detention and did not share student information with federal authorities before the incident, emphasizing its commitment to protecting civil liberties. University President Sunil Kumar confirmed that the school was informed of the visa termination after the fact and maintained a stance of non-cooperation with pre-emptive governmental measures.

A federal judge ruled that a detained Tufts University medical graduate student cannot be immediately deported. The university stated it had no prior knowledge of the detention and did not share any information with federal authorities, thereby distancing itself from the Trump administration's immigration enforcement practices.

Following the ICE arrest of doctoral student Rumeysa Ozturk for her pro-Palestinian op-ed, Tufts University clarified that it had not provided any information to federal authorities prior to the incident and is following established protocols when faced with unannounced federal visits. This response, while largely reactive, indicates a stance that does not actively support authoritarian practices.

Following the detention of graduate student Rumeysa Ozturk by ICE and the revocation of her visa amid allegations tied to a politically charged op‐ed on Palestinian issues, Tufts University defended the student's right to free expression, stating that the op‐ed did not violate school policies.