As a veteran, I took an oath to defend the Constitution, and I still take that oath seriously. An individual who was here legally on a student visa was arrested by undercover officers while walking down the street.

A reason why I can’t ignore what happened to Rumeysa Ozturk, a PhD student at Tufts University. 

This wasn’t someone breaking the law. This was a student exercising what should be a protected right, speaking out against what they saw as an injustice. 

Yet, instead of being allowed to express their views, they were punished for them. That should make all of us stop and think: Is this really the country we want to be?

America was founded on the idea of freedom, freedom from oppression, freedom of speech, freedom to stand up and say, “This isn’t right.” The leaders of the American Revolution fought an entire war to break away from British rule because they wanted the right to govern themselves and speak freely. 

Now, centuries later, we’re silencing people the same way we once fought against.

The Constitution doesn’t say, “These rights only apply to citizens.” It protects everyone in this country, including those who come here legally to study and build a future. If we start making exceptions to decide who does and doesn’t deserve freedom of speech, then what do we stand for?

This is not just about one person. It’s about all of us. It’s about what kind of country we want to be. Do we believe in free speech only when it’s convenient? 

Only when we agree with it?

I think we need to take a hard look in the mirror. If we truly believe in the principles that built this nation, then we need to defend them for everyone, not just when it’s easy, but when it’s hard. 

Editor’s Note: Since the detention, Ozturk’s student visa has been revoked, and her whereabouts are unknown. According to DHS and ICE, “…investigators found Ozturk engaged in activities in support of Hamas…”