A legal battle has erupted in the United States as a civil rights organization challenges the Trump administration’s move to deport international students and scholars involved in pro-Palestinian activism. The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) has filed a lawsuit in the US District Court for the Northern District of New York, arguing that the policy violates constitutional rights, particularly freedom of speech.
The lawsuit, filed on Saturday, seeks a nationwide temporary restraining order to halt the enforcement of two executive orders signed by President Donald Trump within the first month of his term. These orders have led to arrests and deportation proceedings against students and academics who have expressed support for Palestinian rights or participated in demonstrations.
The legal action follows the detention of 30-year-old Mahmoud Khalil, a permanent US resident of Palestinian descent and a student at Columbia University. His arrest triggered widespread protests, with activists condemning what they see as a crackdown on political expression. The US Justice Department, however, has defended the administration’s actions, citing concerns raised by Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Rubio has argued that individuals like Khalil could pose “serious adverse foreign policy consequences” for the United States.
Trump has made it clear that his administration will target activists who participated in demonstrations on college campuses against Israel’s military actions in Gaza. This crackdown comes in response to ongoing protests following the October 2023 attack by Hamas on Israel.
The ADC’s lawsuit represents three plaintiffs from Cornell University who fear that their activism places them at risk of deportation or political persecution. Among them are a PhD student from the UK with a student visa, a US citizen PhD student researching plant science, and a professor and writer in the Department of Literatures in English.
Abed Ayoub, national executive director of the ADC, emphasized the urgency of the case, stating, “This lawsuit is essential to protecting our most fundamental rights. The First Amendment guarantees freedom of speech to all individuals in the United States—without exception.”
Chris Godshall-Bennett, the ADC’s legal director, reinforced the need for swift action, warning that the administration’s measures suppress free expression and discourage international students from fully engaging in academic and public discourse.
As legal proceedings unfold, the case has sparked national debate over the balance between national security concerns and constitutional freedoms, setting the stage for what could become a landmark ruling on the limits of executive power in restricting political speech.