A federal judge has delivered a damning verdict on the Trump administration’s campaign against pro-Palestinian voices. Judge William Young ruled that senior officials unlawfully targeted noncitizens—students and scholars—for deportation, not because of criminal acts, but because they dared to speak out for Palestinian rights. The administration relied on smear sites like Canary Mission and even used masked ICE agents in tactics more reminiscent of secret police than a democratic government.
The court found these actions violated the First Amendment and the Administrative Procedure Act, noting the obvious “chilling effect”: by making examples of a few, the government sought to silence thousands. Noncitizens lawfully present in the United States retain free speech protections, especially when engaging in political debate. Deporting people for their opinions is the very definition of viewpoint discrimination.This ruling should be a warning. Using immigration powers as a weapon against dissent corrodes the foundations of democracy. Free speech is not a privilege for the few—it is a right for all who live here, and it must be defended without exception.
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