Boasberg Halts Visa Curbs Targeting Foreign Speech Advocates as Trump Appeals $100,000 H-1B Fee Ruling
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Jul 24
Boasberg Halts Visa Curbs Targeting Foreign Speech Advocates as Trump Appeals $100,000 H-1B Fee Ruling
2 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jul 24
Summary
Chief U.S. District Judge James Boasberg temporarily blocked the State Department from denying visas to foreign nationals it says helped suppress Americans’ speech online.
Boasberg said the policy may violate the First Amendment by discriminating against one viewpoint—favoring less moderation while targeting people who support stronger content controls, disinformation labeling and related research.
The paused policy followed controversy over the Global Disinformation Index, which conservatives said blacklisted some outlets and cost them ad revenue; the restrictions covered people tied to GDI and similar groups.
The ruling is only an interim stay, not a decision on the merits, so the policy could still survive in court and the State Department can seek appellate review.
Separately, a federal judge in Boston struck down the administration’s $100,000 H-1B visa fee as an unauthorized tax, and the administration is appealing that decision.