A federal judge has stepped in to halt the U.S. government from detaining Imran Ahmed, a British national known for his work tracking online disinformation, after he challenged a sudden entry ban that threatened to upend his life in Washington.
Ahmed, who leads the Center for Countering Digital Hate, was among five Europeans recently targeted by U.S. visa restrictions. Officials accused the group of promoting what they described as online censorship and unfair pressure on American technology companies. Ahmed, who lives in Washington and holds permanent residency, is believed to be the only one of the five currently inside the country.
The restrictions triggered a sharp backlash across Europe, where governments and digital watchdogs argue that tougher oversight and independent monitoring have helped rein in harmful content—from hate speech to material involving child exploitation—and made online platforms safer.
For Ahmed, the consequences felt immediate and personal. The 47-year-old warned that deportation would separate him from his wife and child, both U.S. citizens. He filed suit after the visa action, saying it placed him at risk of being removed without a chance to defend himself.
U.S. officials defended the move by saying the presence of the five individuals could have serious foreign policy implications, a determination that, in their view, justified the restrictions.
The judge issued a temporary order preventing authorities from arresting, detaining, or transferring Ahmed until his challenge can be heard. A follow-up conference between the two sides has been scheduled for later this month.
In a statement released through a representative, Ahmed welcomed the court’s decision, praising the country’s institutional safeguards and reaffirming his commitment to combating online harms. He said he would not be intimidated into abandoning efforts to protect children online and counter antisemitism.
Government agencies declined to comment directly on the case, though officials reiterated that the United States is not required to grant or maintain residency for foreign nationals. While permanent residents do not need visas to remain in the country, the administration has pursued removals in select cases this year, some of which are still tied up in court.
For now, Ahmed remains in Washington, his status temporarily shielded as the legal fight moves forward.
