Story perspectives

Judge Rules Trump Visa Revocations Unconstitutional, Blocks Cancellations

9/1/2026

Summary

Story summary

U.S. District Judge Noël Wise ruled the Trump administration’s visa revocations unconstitutional.
Wise said Secretary of State Marco Rubio violated the First and Fifth Amendments through the Immigration Act.
Stanford Daily sued Rubio, claiming visa cancellations silenced student journalists.
Plaintiffs also included Columbia activist Mahmoud Khalil and Tufts doctoral student Rümeysa Öztürk, both detained.
State Department spokesperson argued visas are a privilege, not a right, and protect security.

History

Historical Context

The 1971 Supreme Court decision in New York Times Co. v. United States rejected the Nixon administration’s attempt to block the Pentagon Papers, issuing a 6-3 ruling that affirmed the heavy presumption against prior restraint. The Court invoked earlier First Amendment precedents such as Near v. Minnesota (1931) to require the government to prove a grave, irreparable danger before silencing the press.

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Story summary

U.S. District Judge Noël Wise ruled the Trump administration’s visa revocations unconstitutional.
Wise said Secretary of State Marco Rubio violated the First and Fifth Amendments through the Immigration Act.
Stanford Daily sued Rubio, claiming visa cancellations silenced student journalists.
Plaintiffs also included Columbia activist Mahmoud Khalil and Tufts doctoral student Rümeysa Öztürk, both detained.
State Department spokesperson argued visas are a privilege, not a right, and protect security.

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