Trump Administration Sued Over Policy Targeting Foreign Researchers Studying Misinformation

The Coalition for Independent Technology Research filed a federal lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia challenging a Trump administration policy that targets noncitizens involved in misinformation and disinformation research. The policy, implemented through Department of Homeland Security guidance, threatens visa denials or deportation for foreign scholars who conduct research on social media platforms, fact-checking, or content moderation. The lawsuit alleges the administration is engaged in a "brazen and far-reaching campaign of censorship" that violates First Amendment protections. Multiple sources confirm the suit was filed in federal court, with plaintiffs arguing the policy chills protected speech and academic research on online harms, hate speech, and platform accountability. The policy appears to stem from executive directives targeting what the administration characterizes as 'censorship infrastructure.'

"The Trump administration is engaged in a 'brazen and far-reaching campaign of censorship' by targeting noncitizens who report on content on social platforms." — From the Coalition for Independent Technology Research lawsuit filed in federal court