A United States judge has issued a temporary order preventing the administration of President Donald Trump from detaining a prominent British campaigner at the centre of an international row over online censorship.
Legal Reprieve for Anti-Disinformation Chief
US District Judge Vernon Broderick granted a temporary restraining order on Thursday 26 December 2025. The order instructs officials not to arrest, detain, or transfer Imran Ahmed, the 47-year-old CEO of the US-based Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH). The ruling came after Mr Ahmed, a legal permanent resident of the US, filed a lawsuit in the Southern District of New York.
He argued that the Trump administration was violating his rights to free speech and due process by threatening him with deportation. The judge scheduled a conference between the parties for 29 December.
Visa Bans Spark Transatlantic Tensions
The legal action follows a significant move by Washington earlier in the week. On Tuesday 24 December 2025, the US State Department, under Secretary of State Marco Rubio, issued visa bans against Mr Ahmed and four European figures. Among them was French former EU commissioner Thierry Breton.
The US government accused the group of working to censor freedom of speech or of unfairly targeting American tech giants with regulation. Secretary Rubio stated their presence in the US had "potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences," making them subject to deportation.
The move has angered European governments. They argue that regulatory work and the monitoring of online platforms—including efforts to combat child sexual abuse material and hate speech—make the internet safer for everyone.
Personal Fears and Legal Precedent
For Mr Ahmed, a New York resident, the visa ban triggered immediate fears. His lawsuit stated that deportation would separate him from his wife and child, who are both US citizens. In a statement provided by a representative, Mr Ahmed praised the US legal system's checks and balances.
"I will not be bullied away from my life's work of fighting to keep children safe from social media's harm and stopping antisemitism online," he said, adding he was proud to call America his home.
The case touches on the complex status of green card holders. While they do not need a visa to reside in the US, the Trump administration has previously attempted to deport at least one this year. Mahmoud Khalil was detained in March after pro-Palestinian activism but was released by a judge who questioned the constitutionality of the action.
Responding to the case, a State Department spokesperson emphasised: "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." The Department of Homeland Security has been contacted for further comment.
