US Judge Issues Temporary Block on Detention of Social Media Campaigner
A US judge has temporarily blocked the detention of British social media campaigner Imran Ahmed, chief executive of the Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH). Ahmed, a permanent resident of the United States, initiated legal action against the US government following the removal of his visa.
Background of Visa Removal
Ahmed was among five individuals whose US visas were denied during the Trump administration. The administration cited concerns that these individuals were seeking to "coerce" technology platforms into censoring free speech. Secretary of State Marco Rubio had stated online that the blocks were due to alleged organized efforts to pressure US platforms to censor and "punish American viewpoints they oppose."
Legal Action and Court Ruling
Ahmed filed a legal complaint on Wednesday against officials, including Secretary Rubio and US Attorney General Pamela Bondi, regarding the sanction decision. On Thursday, US District Judge Vernon S Broderick granted Ahmed's request for a temporary restraining order. The ruling also temporarily prevents officials from detaining Ahmed without the opportunity for his case to be heard.
Statements from Parties
A spokesperson for the state department, when approached by AFP news agency, stated: "The Supreme Court and Congress have repeatedly made clear: the United States is under no obligation to allow foreign aliens to come to our country or reside here."
Imran Ahmed commented on the decision, stating his commitment to "fighting to keep children safe from social media's harm and stopping antisemitism online." Roberta Kaplan, Ahmed's lawyer, remarked on the swiftness of the judge's decision, asserting that the federal government cannot deport a green card holder with American family based on their expressed views.
Previous Legal Engagements
In 2023, CCDH faced a lawsuit from Elon Musk's social media company, X (formerly Twitter). This followed CCDH's reports on an increase in hate speech on the platform after Musk's acquisition. The lawsuit was dismissed, though an appeal remains pending.