A federal judge in Boston has issued an order preventing the Trump administration from detaining or removing particular noncitizen academics and students who participated in pro-Palestinian protests on college campuses, ruling that they are entitled to seek relief in federal court before any immigration action is taken.
U.S. District Judge William G. Young, a President Ronald Reagan appointee, said the plaintiffs in the case had been improperly targeted for their political speech and that such actions violated the First Amendment. Young had previously ruled last fall that noncitizens lawfully present in the United States are entitled to the same free speech protections as citizens.
The order applies to noncitizen members of two academic organizations — the American Association of University Professors and the Middle East Studies Association — which brought the lawsuit against the federal government. Under the ruling, affected individuals must demonstrate active membership in one of the organizations, provide proof that their immigration status has not expired, and show they have not been accused of crimes since September 2025.
Once those conditions are met, Young wrote that any change in immigration status would be presumed to be retaliatory and linked to the exercise of First Amendment rights during the course of the case.
The judge said the order was intended to prevent what he described as retaliation against noncitizen academics and students for participating in campus protests. He also indicated that plaintiffs must be allowed to challenge any removal actions in federal court before deportation proceedings advance.
Young’s ruling follows a hearing last week in which he sharply criticized senior Trump administration officials, including President Donald Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, accusing them of conspiring to infringe on constitutional rights.
During the hearing, Young said he intends to unseal a significant amount of evidence used in the case, rejecting the administration’s request to keep the materials confidential.
Attorneys for the Trump administration argued that the enforcement actions were part of broader efforts to combat antisemitism on college campuses and said the individuals involved had expressed support for Hamas. Administration officials maintain that the government has broad authority to deny entry or remove noncitizens whose presence it considers contrary to national interests.
In response to the ruling, White House spokesperson Anna Kelly said the judge was overstepping his role and accused him of political activism. The Department of Homeland Security also defended the administration’s position.
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said the United States is not obligated to admit or retain noncitizens who support terrorist organizations, emphasizing that immigration enforcement remains a matter of national security.
The Justice Department has not indicated whether it will appeal the ruling.
