New York Attorney General Letitia James is leading a multistate effort to block a Trump administration policy that she says punishes noncitizens for speaking out.
James and 18 other attorneys general filed an amicus brief Friday in American Association of University Professors v. Rubio, arguing the administration’s so-called “Ideological Deportation Policy” violates the First Amendment and undermines public safety, higher education, and economic growth.
“Our democracy depends on the freedom to think, to speak, and to learn without fear,” said James. “No one should face detention or deportation for exercising their right to free speech – not in New York, or in any other state in our nation.”
The attorneys general argue that the policy weaponizes immigration enforcement to silence dissent, particularly among students and scholars. They cited examples including the arrest of a Tufts University PhD student by plainclothes ICE agents after she co-authored an op-ed—an incident they say has chilled speech across campuses.
According to the brief, the administration’s actions have led to more than 800 visa cancellations in recent weeks. The coalition contends that aggressive tactics like undercover raids and rapid transfers are not rooted in public safety concerns, but instead serve to intimidate and censor.
James and her counterparts warn that the policy is harming colleges and universities, which depend on international voices for research and innovation. In New York, the State University of New York system is already seeing declines in international enrollment and visa approvals. Faculty and students are canceling travel, abandoning research plans, and reconsidering their academic futures.
The brief also raises broader concerns. The attorneys general argue the policy discourages immigrants from reporting crimes, accessing healthcare, or participating in civic and religious life. Economically, it deters global talent and jeopardizes industries reliant on international students and workers.
Joining James in the brief are attorneys general from Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and the District of Columbia.
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