• A federal judge concluded Trump’s policy to deport pro-Palestinian activists was unconstitutional.
• The ruling acknowledged that noncitizens have the same First Amendment free speech rights as American citizens.
• Judge Young criticized Trump's administration for using intimidation tactics against student activists.
• High-profile deportation targets included pro-Palestinian activists Mahmoud Khalil and Rümeysa Öztürk.
• The judge upheld that the targeted deportation violated Constitutional protections and was a significant abuse of power.

A federal judge in Massachusetts has ruled that the Trump administration unlawfully targeted foreign students for deportation based on their pro-Palestinian activism, undermining their First Amendment rights. U.S. District Judge William Young described this initiative as an ideological deportation policy that intentionally sought to chill lawful speech on U.S. campuses. His ruling came after a trial supported by university associations that argued the government's efforts constituted a severe infringement on freedom of expression, particularly regarding political dissent related to the war in Gaza, according to The Hill, Al Jazeera, Channel News Asia, CBS News, India Times, Reuters, TRT Global, Los Angeles Times, India Times, Middle East Eye, and India Times.

Judge Young emphasized that his ruling represents more than just a legal decision but a significant reaffirmation of free speech rights for all individuals in the U.S., regardless of citizenship status. The judge highlighted how the actions of the Trump administration, led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, were intended to intimidate those expressing pro-Palestinian sentiments across university campuses. He noted that this led to a climate of fear for foreign students, discouraging their engagement in public discourse, according to The Hill, Al Jazeera, Channel News Asia, CBS News, India Times, Reuters, TRT Global, Los Angeles Times, India Times, Middle East Eye, and India Times.

Young further criticized the use of charged measures like mask-wearing agents during arrests, indicating such actions were intended to instill fear among students, particularly during the Trump administration’s crackdown on dissenters. He expressed grave concern that the administration's policies fundamentally misinterpret free speech protections and seek to stifle opposition voices instead of encouraging a healthy discourse in academia, according to The Hill, Al Jazeera, Channel News Asia, CBS News, India Times, Reuters, TRT Global, Los Angeles Times, India Times, Middle East Eye, and India Times.