A federal judge on Thursday temporarily barred the US government from detaining or deporting British social media campaigner Imran Ahmed, blocking an effort by the Trump administration to revoke the residency of a prominent critic accused of pressuring technology platforms to censor Americans.
According to the BBC, US District Judge Vernon S. Broderick granted a temporary restraining order sought by Mr Ahmed, the founder of the Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH). The ruling prevents federal authorities from detaining him without a hearing while his legal challenge moves forward.
Mr Ahmed filed a complaint on Wednesday against Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Attorney General Pamela Bondi, challenging a decision to impose sanctions against him. The lawsuit contests a State Department move to block visas for Mr Ahmed and four others, accusing them of attempting to “coerce” US-based social media companies into restricting free speech.
In a statement, Mr Ahmed rejected the allegations and said he would continue his advocacy work. “I will not be bullied away from my life’s work of fighting to keep children safe from social media’s harm and stopping antisemitism online,” he said.
Mr Rubio defended the administration’s actions in online comments, arguing that the individuals targeted had organised campaigns to pressure American platforms to censor or punish viewpoints they opposed.
The sanctions, however, prompted criticism from European leaders, who warned that the measures appeared aimed at organisations focused on monitoring online hate speech and disinformation.
Mr Ahmed, a green card holder, lives in the United States with his American wife and child. In court filings, he argued that deportation would unlawfully separate him from his family and violate his constitutional rights.
His attorney, Roberta Kaplan, said the judge’s swift intervention highlighted the weak legal basis for the administration’s move. “The federal government can’t deport a green card holder like Imran Ahmed, with a wife and young child who are American, simply because it doesn’t like what he has to say,” she said.
The State Department and the White House did not immediately respond to media requests for comment. A State Department spokesperson later told AFP that the United States retains broad authority over matters of entry and immigration.
