"Judge Noel Wise pressed government attorneys on how visa-revocation statutes are applied and whether they disproportionately target students who expressed sympathy for Palestinians during Israel's war in Gaza. She also questioned whether a chilling effect on speech, absent any formal enforcement action, is enough to show plaintiffs have been harmed."
"If decided in favor of The Stanford Daily, Wise's decision could limit the government's use of immigration laws to target campus activism, shielding student journalists from retaliation. The lawsuit, filed in August 2025, accuses Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, and other officials of using provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act to revoke visas based on constitutionally protected speech."
Lawyers argued in federal court over whether The Stanford Daily may pursue a First Amendment suit alleging the administration used immigration law to punish student speech. The case could establish precedent for constitutional protections for noncitizen journalists and international students. Judge Noel Wise challenged government explanations of visa-revocation statutes and whether they disproportionately target students sympathetic to Palestinians, and asked if a chilling effect without formal action constitutes harm. The government sought dismissal, saying no specific plaintiff faced deportation or revocation and that actions target disruptive conduct or security-linked organizations, not protected speech alone.
Read at www.mercurynews.com
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