Trump administration faces lawsuit over controversial visa sanctions

The chief of a prominent anti-disinformation watchdog has filed a lawsuit against Donald Trump’s administration over sanctions on US entry.

The British tech campaigner called this ban “unconstitutional and a blatant attempt to deport the permanent American resident, according to court filings.

In a recent move, the US government has denied visas to five European tech experts, including Imran Ahmed who is British national and runs the Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH).

According to the US State Department, these tech experts tried to “coerce” US-based social media companies to censor certain opinions they oppose.

The Trump administration drew condemnation from the European Union and several member states, pledging to protect Europe’s regulatory autonomy.

The UK-based campaigner filed his complaint in a New York district court against Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy Sarah Rogers, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem.

Ahmed issued a statement, defending his legal battle, “"I am proud to call the United States my home. My wife and daughter are American, and instead of spending Christmas with them, I am fighting to prevent my unlawful deportation from my home country.”

As per court filing documents, he also faces “imminent prospect of unconstitutional arrest, punitive detention, and expulsion from the United States.”

Given the threats, the district judge issued a temporary restraining order preventing the arrest of Ahmed.

On Tuesday, the US imposed visa bans on five European citizens, including French former EU commissioner Thierry Breton, accusing them of censoring freedom of speech.