Stanford University students have filed a federal lawsuit against the Trump administration, accusing it of using immigration law to suppress dissent, thereby violating First and Fifth Amendment rights. The lawsuit challenges the authority of Secretary of State Marco Rubio to arbitrarily revoke visas based on perceived threats to national interests. Legal representatives argue that this act creates an atmosphere of fear among international students, leading to self-censorship regarding U.S. foreign policy. This lawsuit aims to protect free speech and address the implications of government actions on academic environments.
"In the United States of America, no one should fear a midnight knock on the door for voicing the wrong opinion," Conor Fitzpatrick, an attorney representing the plaintiffs, said in a news release. "Free speech isn't a privilege the government hands out. Under our Constitution it is the inalienable right of every man, woman, and child."
FIRE said the administration's crackdown has created a climate of fear on college campuses, where international students are self-censoring, afraid that criticizing Israel or U.S. foreign policy could lead to arrest, deportation or visa revocation.
Those powers were initially bolstered in a January executive order, which expanded the administration's authority to restrict entry and revoke visas based on perceived threats to national security or foreign policy and directed agencies to tighten vetting of people already in the country.
"There's real fear on campus and it reaches into the newsroom," said Greta Reich, editor-in-chief of the Stanford Daily. "I've had reports that students are afraid to speak out."
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