In a bold legal move, The Stanford Daily, the student-run newspaper of Stanford University, has filed a lawsuit against former U.S. President Donald Trump, challenging federal actions that allegedly threaten to deport international students for engaging in political speech.
The lawsuit comes in response to policies enacted during the Trump administration, which critics say sought to silence dissent from international students under the guise of immigration enforcement. The Stanford Daily claims that such policies violate constitutional protections, particularly the First Amendment right to free speech and the Fourteenth Amendment’s due process clause.
According to the legal filing, the publication argues that international students should not be subjected to immigration penalties simply for expressing political views—whether in writing, protest, or on social media. The suit describes the measures as a “chilling attempt to stifle campus speech,” warning that it creates a hostile environment for foreign students pursuing academic freedom in the U.S.
“We will not stand by while international students are intimidated into silence,” the editorial board said in a statement. “The university environment thrives on open dialogue, and attempts to deport students for their political expression are not only unlawful but deeply un-American.”
Legal experts say the case could set a significant precedent for how immigration law intersects with campus speech rights, particularly as debates around free expression, academic independence, and national security continue to intensify.
At the time of this report, representatives for Donald Trump have not responded to requests for comment.
The case has sparked renewed discussions on college campuses across the country, with student groups, faculty, and civil rights organizations rallying in support of The Stanford Daily's legal action.