A trial began Monday in Boston challenging the Trump administration’s efforts to deport pro-Palestinian academics, bringing to light questions about foreigners’ First Amendment rights in the United States.
The case, filed by the American Association of University Professors and the Middle East Studies Association, marks the first major trial of Trump’s second-term policies. Trump’s immigration enforcement has expanded beyond traditional targets to include student visa violations for minor infractions. The lawsuit claims the administration is suppressing free speech on college campuses by targeting and attempting to deport foreign students and faculty who support Palestinian causes.
According to Politico, during the proceedings, the Justice Department’s stance on foreigners’ constitutional rights remained unclear. Justice Department attorney Victoria Santora initially stated that non-citizens have equal First Amendment rights, but later backtracked, citing “nuances” related to national security, foreign policy, and immigration enforcement.
Government defends deportation efforts while academics share concerns
The Trump administration denies having any policy targeting individuals based on their political views. Santora insisted that the deportation attempts at various universities were based on “activities” rather than speech, referencing past terrorist attacks to justify increased immigration enforcement.
Two academics testified about how the recent crackdown has affected their behavior. Northwestern University professor Megan Hyska, a Canadian citizen, described wearing masks at protests and withholding publication of an opinion piece critical of the Trump administration. Similarly, Brown University professor Nadje Al-Ali reported self-censoring her social media and canceling international trips due to fears about re-entering the United States.
A federal trial in Boston begins as universities challenge a Trump-era policy deporting pro-Palestinian demonstrators, arguing it violates free speech rights. https://t.co/NtPHu2lP8G pic.twitter.com/eaWMaVl2EG
— Miggy NFTNinja (@MiggyNFTNinja) July 8, 2025
The case centers on Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s use of a rarely used immigration law allowing deportation on foreign policy grounds. ICE’s expanded authority under Trump has raised concerns about the scope of immigration enforcement. Judge William Young questioned how to balance this law with First Amendment protections, noting it as a “real problem in this case.”
The academic groups’ attorney, Ramya Krishnan, argued that the administration’s actions have created “a cloud of fear over university communities.” She compared the current situation to McCarthy-era restrictions on immigrant speech while maintaining that the First Amendment prohibits deporting non-citizens based on their political views.
The trial, expected to last two weeks, comes amid several high-profile cases, including that of former Columbia student Mahmoud Khalil, who was detained for over three months before a federal judge ordered his release. The lawsuit also addresses concerns about American students’ rights to hear diverse viewpoints from their international peers.
