First Circuit Asked to Protect Noncitizen Students From Removal Based on Political Speech

Law360 reported on a First Circuit appeal in a case challenging the federal government’s use of immigration enforcement to target noncitizen students and faculty members for their pro-Palestinian political speech.

The district court, Judge William G. Young, declared the policy unlawful in September 2025 and set it aside but declined to issue the broader injunction requested by the organizations, instead establishing a process through which members could challenge changes to their immigration status.  The federal government has appealed the district court’s decision declaring the policy unlawful, and the plaintiff academic organizations argue on cross- appeal that stronger relief is necessary to stop the government’s conduct and eliminate the policy’s chilling effect on student and faculty speech.

The academic organizations are represented by the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University, and Sher Tremonte LLP.  Zimmer Citron & Clarke LLP attorneys Edwina Clarke and David Zimmer serve as local counsel.

Read the Law360 coverage: 1st Circ. Asked To Stop Student Removals For Palestine Speech