Statement on Rümeysa Öztürk’s Detention

April 2, 2025

The SEIU Asian Pacific Islanders Caucus stands unequivocally against the inhumane actions of federal immigration authorities in unjustly detaining Rümeysa Öztürk—along with countless others—as part of this administration's ongoing effort to silence voices of dissent.

Rümeysa Öztürk, a Tufts University graduate student and member of SEIU Local 509, was abducted by masked federal agents as she left home to attend Ramadan services. Her detention is not an isolated event. Just this week, Lewelyn Dixon—a lawful permanent resident for 50 years, a dedicated lab technician, and a member of SEIU Local 925—was also unjustly detained by ICE while reentering the U.S. after visiting family in the Philippines.

The fear and repression we witness today echo some of the darkest moments in American history—when immigrants and people of color were scapegoated and oppressed, from the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II to the witch hunts of the McCarthy era. The Trump Administration’s actions are not about enforcing immigration law; they are about silencing dissent, suppressing free speech, and targeting those who challenge injustice. This is a blatant attempt to define who belongs in America and who does not—an agenda fueled by xenophobia and rooted in racism.

We refuse to be silenced. We refuse to allow this hateful agenda to prevail. We demand the immediate release of Rümeysa Öztürk and Lewelyn Dixon, and call on our elected officials to hold the Department of Homeland Security accountable for this assault on immigrants' rights and free speech. We will fight back against all forms of injustice and stand firm in defending our fundamental freedoms.

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