US judge dismisses activist's suit challenging deportation

Preska's decision paves the way for Ahmed's potential detention, but she has extended an existing restraining order for five business days, providing Ahmed an opportunity to file an appeal. The Trump administration's aggressive immigration policies, including the revocation of visas and green cards, have been subject to numerous legal challenges that have resulted in divided court rulings.

Last year, a U.S. judge had temporarily halted the administration's efforts to detain Ahmed, who is a U.S. permanent resident. He had sued officials over an entry ban, which Washington justified by alleging his involvement in online censorship. The administration had imposed visa bans on Ahmed and four other Europeans, accusing them of suppressing free speech or imposing burdensome regulations on U.S. tech companies.

Ahmed, 47, leads the U.S.-based Center for Countering Digital Hate and resides in Washington, where his wife and child are U.S. citizens. Earlier this year, a federal judge had blocked the enforcement of a policy targeting foreign nationals who study disinformation and hate speech, which led to visa denials and deportations. The administration has characterized such critics as "anti-American" and threats to foreign policy, while advocates argue these actions punish criticism of the U.S. government and raise free speech concerns.