Voto Latino: Peaceful Protest Is a Cornerstone of Democracy and Must Be Protected for All, Including International Students

Washington, D.C. – Voto Latino, a leading civic organization committed to empowering young Latino communities, releases the following statement regarding the Trump administration’s decision to detain Rumeysa Ozturk, a Turkish national studying at Tufts University on an F-1 visa. No student, regardless of their country of origin, should be targeted or penalized for peacefully expressing their beliefs.

“Peaceful protest is a cornerstone of democratic societies. It is not only an individual’s right but also a fundamental tool for holding power to account. For students, regardless of their immigration status, the ability to express their beliefs and foster dialogue is perhaps the greatest cultural learning they can bring back to their countries, where democracy may be threatened or still emerging. As a democracy, we must safeguard the First Amendment at all costs—free speech and the right to peaceful protest are vital to the health of any thriving, open society.

Dissenting views and differing opinions are signs of a healthy democracy. Free debate is a feature, not a bug—it is the foundation on which our society stands. Silencing or punishing peaceful demonstrators erodes this principle and weakens the very fabric of our democratic values.

In a shocking statement, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said, “We gave you a visa to come and study and get a degree, not to be a social activist,” referring to Ozturk’s detention after participating in peaceful protests. Voto Latino rejects this harmful rhetoric and affirms that peaceful protest is a fundamental part of civic engagement and a vital component of a thriving democracy protected by the First Amendment.”

The U.S. has long been a destination for students from around the world seeking to learn, grow, and contribute to society. Voto Latino urges the U.S. government to respect the rights of international students and ensure that all individuals, regardless of their origin, are free to study, express their views, and participate in activism without facing intimidation or deportation.

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Voto Latino is a civic advocacy organization dedicated to educating and empowering the next generation of Latino voters while working to build a more inclusive and representative democracy. Since its founding, Voto Latino has registered nearly two million voters. In 2024, the organization took legal action to protect voting rights, filing multiple lawsuits in Texas, Arizona, and North Carolina to safeguard access to the ballot ahead of the elections.