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Judge Blocks Trump Administration From Deporting Students Over Israel Criticism/ TezzBuzz/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ A federal judge ruled that the Trump administration cannot target noncitizens for deportation solely because they criticize Israel or support Palestinians. The court found that parts of the government’s deportation policy violated First Amendment speech protections and Fifth Amendment due-process guarantees. The decision favored Stanford University’s student newspaper, which said deportation threats had silenced international students.

Quick Look

• U.S. District Judge Noël Wise issued the ruling Friday in California.
• The case was brought on behalf of Stanford University’s student newspaper.
• International students said they feared speaking publicly because of possible deportation.
• Wise struck down portions of federal deportation provisions.
• The judge cited violations of the First and Fifth amendments.
• The decision follows a similar federal ruling issued in Boston.
• Wise also cited retaliation against people who criticized Charlie Kirk.
• The Justice Department did not immediately comment.
• A free-speech organization praised the ruling.

Deep Look

Judge rejects deportations based on political speech

A federal judge in California ruled that the Trump administration violated the Constitution by using deportation threats to silence noncitizens who criticized Israel’s war in Gaza or expressed support for Palestinians.

U.S. District Judge Noël Wise issued the decision Friday in San Jose, emphasizing that constitutional protections for speech and the press apply even when the government strongly objects to the views being expressed.

Wise struck down portions of the federal provisions used to pursue deportations, finding that they were unconstitutionally vague and infringed protections under the First and Fifth amendments.

Stanford student newspaper wins its challenge

The ruling delivered a legal victory to Stanford University’s student newspaper.

The publication said international students had become afraid to express their political opinions because they feared that public criticism of Israel or support for Palestinians could lead to immigration consequences.

The court found that the government’s enforcement approach chilled constitutionally protected speech.

Court builds on earlier Boston ruling

The California decision largely relied on findings made nearly a year earlier by a federal judge in Boston.

That court ruled that the Trump administration violated the Constitution when it targeted noncitizens for deportation solely because they supported Palestinians or criticized Israel.

The latest ruling strengthens the judicial rejection of immigration enforcement based on political viewpoints rather than conduct that independently violates the law.

Judge warns policy could target broader dissent

Wise cited immigration enforcement actions that began in March 2025 against individuals who spoke in support of Palestinians or against Israel’s military operations in Gaza.

A growing number of experts, including specialists commissioned by a United Nations body, have concluded that Israel’s actions amount to genocide. Israel disputes genocide accusations.

The judge also cited government retaliation against people who criticized Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk following his assassination in September 2025.

Wise warned that allowing viewpoint-based punishment could eventually place anyone expressing an unpopular opinion at risk.

Free-speech group welcomes decision

The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression brought the lawsuit challenging the administration’s policy.

Conor Fitzpatrick, an attorney with the organization, praised the court for affirming that constitutional protections do not depend on whether speech aligns with the government’s position.

The Justice Department did not respond Saturday to a request for comment on the ruling.

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