US Judge Dismisses Imran Ahmed Deportation Lawsuit

A federal judge in New York has dismissed a lawsuit filed by British anti-disinformation campaigner Imran Ahmed challenging the Trump administration’s authority to detain and deport him, potentially clearing the way for immigration enforcement against the U.S. permanent resident.

U.S. District Judge Loretta Preska in Manhattan ruled Tuesday that Ahmed may have legitimate legal claims but said a recent appellate court decision prevented her from exercising jurisdiction over his constitutional arguments involving free speech and due process.

The ruling could expose Ahmed to detention. However, Preska kept an earlier restraining order in place for five business days, giving him an opportunity to seek an appeal.

Ahmed, 47, is chief executive of the U.S.-based Center for Countering Digital Hate and lives in Washington. He holds a green card and says his wife and child are U.S. citizens.

The case comes amid continuing legal disputes over President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown, including the administration’s use of visa and green card revocations against foreign nationals whose political activities or advocacy it considers contrary to U.S. interests.

Late last year, another federal judge temporarily prevented the administration from detaining Ahmed after he sued U.S. officials over an entry ban linked to his work combating online disinformation. Washington had imposed visa restrictions on Ahmed and four Europeans, accusing them of attempting to suppress free speech or unfairly targeting American technology companies through regulation.

In July, a federal judge separately blocked the Trump administration from implementing a policy aimed at foreign nationals who research disinformation and hate speech on social media for possible visa denials or deportation.

Green card holders generally do not require visas to remain in the United States, but the administration has pursued deportation proceedings against some permanent residents over political activity, including participation in pro-Palestinian demonstrations.

Trump has characterized some activists as “anti-American” and potential foreign policy threats. Civil liberties advocates, however, argue that targeting individuals because of their political views raises serious First Amendment and due process concerns.

The administration has also launched investigations involving activists and human rights advocates while imposing sanctions on some international judges.