A federal judge in Manhattan has temporarily prevented the Trump administration from arresting or deporting Imran Ahmed, a British-born researcher and lawful permanent resident. This decision follows actions by the State Department to sanction him under a foreign policy deportation provision. On December 25, 2025, US District Judge Vernon S. Broderick granted Ahmed a temporary restraining order (TRO), blocking federal officials from detaining him and prohibiting any transfer if he is in custody.
Ahmed, who founded the Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH), challenges these actions, arguing that immigration law is being misused to retaliate against him for his research and advocacy regarding online hate and misinformation. His work, which includes critiques of major tech companies like X (formerly Twitter), has made him a notable figure in discussions on digital content moderation.
In his lawsuit, Ahmed claims the government’s actions violate his First and Fifth Amendment rights and are part of a broader pattern of targeting noncitizen advocates, particularly related to pro-Palestinian speech. He also contends that the foreign policy deportation standard is vague and invites arbitrary enforcement.
The TRO does not address the merits of Ahmed’s claims but halts the government’s actions while the court evaluates the legality of using the foreign policy deportation provision against a lawful permanent resident involved in advocating for stricter online regulation.
