In a bold legal move, The Stanford Daily has taken the Trump administration to federal court—arguing that international students are being targeted for deportation simply for speaking their minds.
The lawsuit, filed in the Northern District of California, claims the administration is using immigration law as a weapon against student journalists and activists who express views it doesn’t like—especially those critical of American and Israeli foreign policy.
Named in the lawsuit are President Donald Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi L. Noem. The suit alleges they’ve abused the Immigration and Nationality Act to silence dissent by threatening international students with visa revocations or deportation.
At the center of the case is a clear message, according to the complaint: “Watch what you say, or you could be next.”
The case is being led by The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) on behalf of The Stanford Daily and two former student journalists, both international students. It paints a chilling picture of campus journalism under pressure: self-censorship, resignations, and fear.
“We’re seeing student reporters afraid to publish,” said Greta Reich, Editor-in-Chief of The Stanford Daily. “Some have pulled their names off stories or asked us to remove entire articles. This fear is real—and it’s growing.”
The complaint highlights several examples. One student reportedly stopped posting on social media after being listed on Canary Mission, a controversial site that tracks pro-Palestinian activists. Another withheld a study criticizing Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, fearing retaliation from the U.S. government. Still, he resumed publishing—despite knowing it could put his visa at risk.
“This isn’t about crime or immigration violations,” said Conor Fitzpatrick, a senior attorney at FIRE. “It’s about punishing lawful residents for engaging in political discourse—speech that is constitutionally protected.”
The Trump administration has not directly responded, though a State Department official pointed to general visa compliance rules. The Department of Homeland Security remained silent on the matter.
Reports have emerged of increased surveillance and detention of students speaking out on Gaza, including cases at Columbia, Tufts, and Georgetown. Over 100 students have allegedly been monitored, with some detained even though they weren’t charged with any crimes.
The lawsuit argues that this crackdown is more than just policy—it’s an attack on journalism, campus activism, and free expression.
“Secretary Rubio and the Trump administration are trying to turn the inalienable right of free speech into a privilege,” the suit reads. “That’s not just unconstitutional. It’s un-American.”
