Judge weighs reality of Trump ‘ideological’ deportation policy as activists crackdown trial ends
UNITED STATES, JUL 21 – The lawsuit challenges the Trump administration's policy targeting noncitizen students and faculty for pro-Palestinian speech, alleging systematic First Amendment violations affecting tens of thousands nationwide.
- On July 21, 2025, a two-week trial concluded before Judge William Young in Boston, challenging the Trump administration’s policy of deporting noncitizens for pro-Palestinian speech.
- On March 25, 2025, the AAUP and MESA, joined by campus chapters at Harvard, New York and Rutgers, filed suit accusing the Trump administration of targeting noncitizens for pro-Palestinian speech.
- William Kanellis noted 'Just 18 arrests so far,' reflecting low enforcement levels, and John Armstrong called it `It's silly to suggest that there's such a policy`, even as the administration argued plaintiffs created it.
- Alexandra Conlon said `The goal is to silence students and scholars who wish to express pro-Palestinian views`, as plaintiffs noted DHS is investigating noncitizens for such advocacy and officials reviewed thousands of protester lists including Canary Mission.
- A ruling is expected in coming months from U.S. District Judge William Young, and Michael Kagan said an appeal is likely, underscoring the case’s broad implications for First Amendment rights in higher education.
13 Articles
13 Articles

Judge rejects Homeland Security’s arguments in UI student visa case
In another setback for U.S. Department of Homeland Security, a judge has rejected the department’s argument that it has fully complied with a court order in a lawsuit brought by Iowa students who fear they’ve been targeted for deportation. In…
The Judge Receives the Final Arguments in the Trial for Freedom of Expression From Foreign Academics
By Sarah BetancourtTo read this article in english in GBH News click here.On Monday the closing arguments were presented in a federal case focused on reversing the arrests of foreign students and professors during the Trump administration for participating in pro-Palestine activism.The plaintiffs, including the American Association of University Teachers and the Middle East Studies Association, are challenging what they consider a “government po…
Trump admin, judge battle over order to halt deportation of Columbia U. activist • New Jersey Monitor
Supporters of Mahmoud Khalil rally outside the federal courthouse in Newark on March 28, 2025. (Reena Rose Sibayan for New Jersey Monitor)The Trump administration is sparring with a New Jersey federal judge over what it calls his “unprecedented and dramatic” order to halt the deportation of a pro-Palestinian activist. Judge Michael Farbiarz’s order — which directed U.S. Department of Justice officials to get a Louisiana immigration judge to vaca…
Judge weighs reality of Trump ‘ideological’ deportation policy as activists crackdown trial ends
A federal judge on Monday questioned the true nature of the Trump administration’s crackdown on pro-Palestinian campus activists during closing arguments of a bench trial over the controversial arrests. U.S. District Judge William Young, an appointee of former President Reagan, must determine whether the so-called “ideological deportation policy” exists, such that the administration singled out campus activists critical of Israel’s war in Gaza …
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