US judge blocks detention of British social media activist

A U.S. judge has temporarily blocked the detention of British social media activist Imran Ahmed, who has taken legal action against the U.S. government over his visa cancellation.

The founder of the Center to Combat Digital Hate is one of Five people denied U.S. visas after the Trump administration accused them of seeking to “force” tech platforms to censor free speech.

The move sparked a backlash from European leaders who defended the work of online content monitoring groups.

Ahmed, a permanent resident of the United States, has warned that detention and possible deportation would separate him from his American wife and children. He praised the judge’s decision and told BBC News he would not be “bullied”.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said online that the individuals were blocked out of concern that they were organizing actions to pressure U.S. platforms for censorship and that “Punish American views they oppose“.

Mr. Ahmed launched legal action on Wednesday against Rubio and officials including U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi over the decision to sanction him.

In court documents seen by the BBC, US District Judge Vernon S Broderick said on Thursday he had granted Mr Ahmed’s request for a temporary restraining order.

The judge also temporarily blocked officials from detaining Mr. Ahmed before his case could be heard.

The BBC has contacted the State Department and the White House for comment.

When contacted by AFP, a U.S. State Department spokesperson said: “The Supreme Court and Congress have made it clear many times: The United States has no obligation to allow foreign aliens to come to our country or live here.”

Mr Ahmed said: “I will not give up my life’s work of protecting children from social media and stopping anti-Semitism online just because I am bullied.”

His attorney, Roberta Kaplan, said the speed with which the judge made his decision was telling.

“The federal government cannot deport a green card holder like Imran Ahmed, whose wife and young children are Americans, simply because they don’t like what he has to say.”

In 2023, Mr. Ahmed’s Center Sued by Elon Musk’s social media company Hate speech on the platform has reportedly increased since the billionaire took over the company, now known as X.

The case has been dismissed, but an appeal is pending.