Rep. Ayanna Pressley said President Trump could jail people for DEI during a press conference on Wednesday. (Getty Images)
She alleged that Khalil and Ozturk are being put through significant strain at the hands of the authorities there.
"This is torture. They are sleep-deprived. They are being denied the basic essentials. Their humanity completely erased," Pressley said. "And every person of conscience — this is not about Democrat or Republican right now. This is about right and wrong, good and evil. And people of Congress need to join us, apply pressure, continue to say their names to demand their freedom, due process, justice, and to demand that Rumeysa's visa is reinstated."
Pressley also claimed that Ozturk "had her hijab removed" by "one of the nurses" at the facility.
COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY STUDENT PROTESTER SUES TRUMP ADMINISTRATION TO PREVENT DEPORTATION
Rep. Jim McGovern told reporters, "There is nothing to stop the government from going after you, too" (Tom Williams)
Both Ozturk and Khalil have been accused by the Trump administration of making pro-Hamas statements while enrolled at Tufts University and Columbia University respectively.
The Massachusetts progressives' trip comes after several Democrats traveled to El Salvador in a bid to secure the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a deported illegal immigrant married to a U.S. citizen who the Trump administration accused of having ties to MS-13.
The Supreme Court found Abrego Garcia to have been wrongfully deported and ordered the U.S. government to facilitate his release, though El Salvador has no plans to return him.
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A DHS spokesperson told Fox News Digital when reached for comment, "Ms. Ozturk was in communication with legal counsel within hours of her arrival at the facility in Basile. On the day of her arrival, one of her attorneys contacted the facility and was informed that she was already engaged in a meeting with her other attorney. Since then, she has had four attorney visits. Her dormitory has not exceeded capacity."
"Daily inspections are conducted by the facility administrator, and there have been no reports or documented complaints of rodent activity. In accordance with the Performance-Based National Detention Standards (PBNDS), the facility maintains regular pest control services. ICE has also provided Ms. Ozturk with prompt medical care and services, and she has not filed any grievances regarding delayed medical care. Being granted a visa to live and study in the United States is a privilege, not a right. The State Department makes specific determinations about visa revocations when an individual poses a threat to national security," the spokesperson said.
When reached for comment on Pressley's remarks on Trump, White House spokesperson Kush Desai responded, ""Wow, Democrats being hysterical about President Trump. What else is new?"
Elizabeth Elkind is a politics reporter for Fox News Digital leading coverage of the House of Representatives. Previous digital bylines seen at Daily Mail and CBS News.
Follow on Twitter at @liz_elkind and send tips to elizabeth.elkind@fox.com
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/squad-dem-says-trump-may-jail-people-for-practicing-diversity-after-visiting-ice-detained-students