Trump cannot deport students for criticizing Israel, judge rules

A federal judge in California has ruled that the U.S. government cannot deport students for criticizing Israel, citing the importance of the First Amendment. The decision benefits the student newspaper at Stanford University, where international students were reportedly hesitant to speak out due to deportation threats. The ruling echoes findings from a prior case in Boston, where a district judge found the Trump administration violated the Constitution by targeting noncitizens solely for supporting Palestinians and criticizing Israel.

The judge emphasized that the freedoms of speech and press are "foundational to America’s enduring democracy" and struck down portions of the provisions used by the federal government for deportations. She highlighted flaws in the First Amendment and Fifth Amendment, as well as retaliation against individuals who expressed support for Palestinians and criticism of Israel's actions, which are considered by many experts, including UN-commissioned ones, as genocide.

The judge also cited retaliation against those who criticized Charlie Kirk after his assassination in September. The ruling warns that anyone exercising free speech against the government's disapproval may become a target, which the judge deems antithetical to the Constitution's protection of free speech.