British anti-disinformation chief Imran Ahmed sues the US over a visa ban, calling it unconstitutional, amid tensions over social media regulation and the Digital Services Act.
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| The lawsuit by Imran Ahmed over a US visa ban raises legal and political questions about social media regulation, transatlantic tensions, and constitutional rights for permanent residents. Image: CH |
New York, United States – December 26, 2025:
Imran Ahmed, a British national and head of the anti-disinformation group Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH), has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration over a US visa ban, describing it as an “unconstitutional” attempt to expel him from the country. Ahmed, a permanent US resident, is among five European figures denied visas by the State Department, which accused them of attempting to “coerce” social media platforms into censoring certain viewpoints.
The complaint, filed in a New York district court on Wednesday, names key officials including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Under Secretary Sarah Rogers, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem. Ahmed cited the “imminent prospect of unconstitutional arrest, punitive detention, and expulsion” in his filings. A judge has issued a temporary restraining order preventing Ahmed’s arrest or detention, with a hearing scheduled for Monday. In his statement, Ahmed emphasized his personal stakes, saying, “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.”
The visa restrictions also targeted former European commissioner Thierry Breton, Anna-Lena von Hodenberg and Josephine Ballon of the German nonprofit HateAid, and Clare Melford of the UK-based Global Disinformation Index. The European Commission condemned the bans, promising to seek clarification from Washington and respond decisively to protect regulatory autonomy.
Ahmed, a frequent critic of Elon Musk, stated that his work focuses on protecting children from unregulated social media and AI while combating antisemitism online. He declared, “I will not be bullied away from my life’s work.” His CCDH organization has reported spikes in misinformation and hate speech on X following Musk’s acquisition of the platform in 2022.
The US State Department defended the visa ban, asserting that the country is “under no obligation to allow foreign aliens to come to our country or reside here.” Under Secretary Sarah Rogers added that Ahmed was sanctioned as a “key collaborator” in efforts by the Biden administration to “weaponize the government” against US citizens.
The case reflects broader tensions surrounding Europe’s Digital Services Act, which requires major platforms to provide transparency in content moderation. US conservatives have criticized the law, arguing it restricts free expression. The dispute underscores the complex intersection of international law, social media regulation, and transatlantic political disagreements, raising questions about the rights of permanent residents and the limits of government authority in regulating digital platforms.
This lawsuit could set a precedent regarding the balance between national security, freedom of expression, and regulatory cooperation between the US and Europe in the digital age.