US judge blocks detention of British social media campaigner

A federal judge has temporarily sUSpended the detention of British social media campaigner Imran Ahmed, who took court action against the US government after his visa was sUSpended. Since the Trump administration accUSed them of attempting to coerce tech networks into banning free expression, the Center for Countering Digital Hate founder was one of five people refUSed US visas. The step prompted a backlash from European officials who defended the work of organisations that monitor online content. Mr Ahmed, a permanent resident of the United States, had warned that being arrested and potentially deported could force him away from his American wife and children. He praised the judge's decision, but BBC News reported that he would not be "bullied.

The individuals were denied becaUSe of allegations that they had orchestrated efforts to pressure US broadcasts to censor and punish American viewpoints that they oppose, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said online. On Wednesday, Mr Ahmed lodged a legal complaint against Rubio and US Attorney General Pamela Bondi for deciding to have him disciplined. US District Judge Vernon S Broderick said on Thursday that he had approved Mr Ahmed's request for a provisional restraining order in court records seen by the BBC. Mr Ahmed's detention was also temporarily suspended by the judge, who did not have the opportunity for his complaint to be heard. The state department and the White House have been contacted by the BBC for comment. When approached by an AFP news service, a state department spokesperson said:

The Supreme Court and Congress have consistently stated that the United States is under no obligation to allow foreign aliens to enter our country or reside here.

I will not be bullied away from my life's work of battling to keep children safe from social media's harm and banning antisemitism online,

Mr Ahmed said. The judge's decision was swift, according to his counsel, Roberta Kaplan.

The federal government can't deport a green card holder like Imran Ahmed, with a wife and young child who are American, simply because it doesn't like what he has to say," she said. Mr Ahmed's center was sued by Elon Musk's social media company in 2023 after the company announced on a rise in hate speech on the website since the billionaire's takeover of the company, now called X. The lawsuit was dismissed, but an appeal is pending.