Carrie DeCell
@carriedecell.bsky.social
Senior Staff Attorney & Legislative Advisor, Knight First Amendment Institute (she/her)
Reposted by Carrie DeCell
⬇️ NEWS: “This is a historic ruling that should have immediate implications for the Trump administration’s policies. If the First Amendment means anything, it means the government can’t imprison people simply because it disagrees with their political views."
knightcolumbia.org/content/in-l...
knightcolumbia.org/content/in-l...
In Landmark Ruling, Federal Court Says Trump Administration Violated First Amendment By Deporting Foreign Citizens for Pro-Palestinian Advocacy
knightcolumbia.org
September 30, 2025 at 5:49 PM
⬇️ NEWS: “This is a historic ruling that should have immediate implications for the Trump administration’s policies. If the First Amendment means anything, it means the government can’t imprison people simply because it disagrees with their political views."
knightcolumbia.org/content/in-l...
knightcolumbia.org/content/in-l...
Reposted by Carrie DeCell
Judge Young: "The First Amendment does not draw President Trump’s invidious distinction and it is not to be found in our history or jurisprudence." An extraordinary, historic victory for democratic freedom. knightcolumbia.org/content/in-l...
In Landmark Ruling, Federal Court Says Trump Administration Violated First Amendment By Deporting Foreign Citizens for Pro-Palestinian Advocacy
knightcolumbia.org
September 30, 2025 at 5:45 PM
Judge Young: "The First Amendment does not draw President Trump’s invidious distinction and it is not to be found in our history or jurisprudence." An extraordinary, historic victory for democratic freedom. knightcolumbia.org/content/in-l...
Reposted by Carrie DeCell
A huge win in @knightcolumbia.org's challenge to the Trump admin's policy of targeting noncitizen students and faculty for deportation based on their pro-Palestinian speech. Thank you @aaup.org and @mesa1966.bsky.social for trusting in us to represent you.
knightcolumbia.org/content/in-l...
knightcolumbia.org/content/in-l...
In Landmark Ruling, Federal Court Says Trump Administration Violated First Amendment By Deporting Foreign Citizens for Pro-Palestinian Advocacy
knightcolumbia.org
September 30, 2025 at 5:58 PM
A huge win in @knightcolumbia.org's challenge to the Trump admin's policy of targeting noncitizen students and faculty for deportation based on their pro-Palestinian speech. Thank you @aaup.org and @mesa1966.bsky.social for trusting in us to represent you.
knightcolumbia.org/content/in-l...
knightcolumbia.org/content/in-l...
Reposted by Carrie DeCell
BREAKING: WE WON!!!
💥 💥 💥
Federal Judge William G. Young ruled today in our lawsuit against the Trump administration that the policy of arresting, detaining, & deporting noncitizen students & faculty members for their pro-Palestinian advocacy violates the 1st Amendment.
Full ruling here:
💥 💥 💥
Federal Judge William G. Young ruled today in our lawsuit against the Trump administration that the policy of arresting, detaining, & deporting noncitizen students & faculty members for their pro-Palestinian advocacy violates the 1st Amendment.
Full ruling here:
Findings of Fact & Conclusions of Law – #261 in American Association of University Professors v. Rubio (D. Mass., 1:25-cv-10685) – CourtListener.com
Judge William G. Young: ORDER entered. FINDINGS OF FACT AND RULINGS OF LAW, PURSUANT TO FED. R. CIV. P. 52(A)(Sonnenberg, Elizabeth) (Additional attachment(s) added on 9/30/2025: # 1 Main Document) (J...
www.courtlistener.com
September 30, 2025 at 5:43 PM
BREAKING: WE WON!!!
💥 💥 💥
Federal Judge William G. Young ruled today in our lawsuit against the Trump administration that the policy of arresting, detaining, & deporting noncitizen students & faculty members for their pro-Palestinian advocacy violates the 1st Amendment.
Full ruling here:
💥 💥 💥
Federal Judge William G. Young ruled today in our lawsuit against the Trump administration that the policy of arresting, detaining, & deporting noncitizen students & faculty members for their pro-Palestinian advocacy violates the 1st Amendment.
Full ruling here:
Reposted by Carrie DeCell
The Trump administration is set to expand social media vetting of visa applicants. The policy has done little for national security, says @jameeljaffer.bsky.social, but "it is very effective at chilling free speech."
May 29, 2025 at 12:42 PM
The Trump administration is set to expand social media vetting of visa applicants. The policy has done little for national security, says @jameeljaffer.bsky.social, but "it is very effective at chilling free speech."
Reposted by Carrie DeCell
A federal judge just ruled that our case seeking to block the Trump administration from carrying out large-scale arrests, detentions, and deportations of noncitizen students and faculty who participate in pro-Palestinian protests can go forward. Read our statement: knightcolumbia.org/content/fede...
April 29, 2025 at 7:35 PM
A federal judge just ruled that our case seeking to block the Trump administration from carrying out large-scale arrests, detentions, and deportations of noncitizen students and faculty who participate in pro-Palestinian protests can go forward. Read our statement: knightcolumbia.org/content/fede...
Reposted by Carrie DeCell
My @knightcolumbia.org colleague Ramya Krishnan will be in court in Boston this Wednesday arguing on behalf of @aaup.bsky.social & @mesa1966.bsky.social in their challenge to the Trump admin's ideological-deportation policy.
This is the case: knightcolumbia.org/cases/aaup-v...
This is the case: knightcolumbia.org/cases/aaup-v...
American Association of University Professors v. Rubio
knightcolumbia.org
April 21, 2025 at 4:14 PM
My @knightcolumbia.org colleague Ramya Krishnan will be in court in Boston this Wednesday arguing on behalf of @aaup.bsky.social & @mesa1966.bsky.social in their challenge to the Trump admin's ideological-deportation policy.
This is the case: knightcolumbia.org/cases/aaup-v...
This is the case: knightcolumbia.org/cases/aaup-v...
Reposted by Carrie DeCell
Yesterday, we filed an amicus brief w/ @aclu.org & 9 other legal organizations asking the court to strike down Trump's executive order placing sanctions on the law firm Perkins Coie for its work on voting rights & for representing Trump's prior political opponents. knightcolumbia.org/content/lega...
April 3, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Yesterday, we filed an amicus brief w/ @aclu.org & 9 other legal organizations asking the court to strike down Trump's executive order placing sanctions on the law firm Perkins Coie for its work on voting rights & for representing Trump's prior political opponents. knightcolumbia.org/content/lega...
Reposted by Carrie DeCell
It’s sad that it requires courage right now for a university president to file something as straightforward as this, but it does. Thanks to Tufts University President Sunil Kumar for filing this. www.tufts.edu/president/sp...
April 2, 2025 at 11:42 PM
It’s sad that it requires courage right now for a university president to file something as straightforward as this, but it does. Thanks to Tufts University President Sunil Kumar for filing this. www.tufts.edu/president/sp...
Reposted by Carrie DeCell
The Knight Institute (@knightcolumbia.org) joined a cross-ideological amicus brief led by the @aclu.org, in arguing that President Trump's executive order targeting Perkins Coie LLP is unconstitutional.
knightcolumbia.org/cases/perkin...
knightcolumbia.org/cases/perkin...
April 3, 2025 at 2:44 PM
The Knight Institute (@knightcolumbia.org) joined a cross-ideological amicus brief led by the @aclu.org, in arguing that President Trump's executive order targeting Perkins Coie LLP is unconstitutional.
knightcolumbia.org/cases/perkin...
knightcolumbia.org/cases/perkin...
Reposted by Carrie DeCell
Powerful op-ed from Profs. Maya Jasanoff and @kirstenweld.bsky.social. They are members of AAUP-Harvard, one of the groups challenging the Trump admin's policy of targeting noncitizen students and faculty for deportation based on their pro-Palestinian advocacy.
www.thecrimson.com/article/2025...
www.thecrimson.com/article/2025...
We’re Harvard Professors Suing the Trump Administration. Here’s Why. | Opinion | The Harvard Crimson
Universities are currently on the front lines of a battle for basic civil liberties. We must fight for the values — and the people — that define us. This lawsuit is a start.
www.thecrimson.com
April 3, 2025 at 2:36 PM
Powerful op-ed from Profs. Maya Jasanoff and @kirstenweld.bsky.social. They are members of AAUP-Harvard, one of the groups challenging the Trump admin's policy of targeting noncitizen students and faculty for deportation based on their pro-Palestinian advocacy.
www.thecrimson.com/article/2025...
www.thecrimson.com/article/2025...
As a Jenner alum, I could not be prouder of this firm today.
NEWS: Jenner & Block sued to challenge Trump's executive order in D.C. federal court this morning. They are represented by lawyers from Cooley LLP, and are seeking similar relief to the Perkins Coie challenge.
Complaint: storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Complaint: storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
March 28, 2025 at 2:39 PM
As a Jenner alum, I could not be prouder of this firm today.
Reposted by Carrie DeCell
This morning, the Knight Institute filed a lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s policy of arresting, detaining, and deporting noncitizen students and faculty who participate in pro-Palestinian activism. knightcolumbia.org/content/aaup...
AAUP, Middle East Studies Association, Knight Institute Sue Over Trump Policy of Arresting and Threatening to Deport Students and Faculty for Lawful Speech
knightcolumbia.org
March 25, 2025 at 2:22 PM
This morning, the Knight Institute filed a lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s policy of arresting, detaining, and deporting noncitizen students and faculty who participate in pro-Palestinian activism. knightcolumbia.org/content/aaup...
Reposted by Carrie DeCell
This morning, FACULTY UNIONS led by @aaup.bsky.social sued the Trump administration over the unlawful funding cuts at Columbia. We will not let the federal government use coercion to rob us of academic freedom and critical research!
So proud of my union!
protectdemocracy.org/wp-content/u...
So proud of my union!
protectdemocracy.org/wp-content/u...
protectdemocracy.org
March 25, 2025 at 2:20 PM
This morning, FACULTY UNIONS led by @aaup.bsky.social sued the Trump administration over the unlawful funding cuts at Columbia. We will not let the federal government use coercion to rob us of academic freedom and critical research!
So proud of my union!
protectdemocracy.org/wp-content/u...
So proud of my union!
protectdemocracy.org/wp-content/u...
Reposted by Carrie DeCell
There's a lot of work to do. We're hiring another Legal Fellow to start ASAP. Please send the best people our way. @knightcolumbia.org knightcolumbia.org/page/legal-f...
| Knight First Amendment Institute
knightcolumbia.org
March 13, 2025 at 5:53 PM
There's a lot of work to do. We're hiring another Legal Fellow to start ASAP. Please send the best people our way. @knightcolumbia.org knightcolumbia.org/page/legal-f...
Reposted by Carrie DeCell
Arresting and threatening to deport students because of their participation in political protest is the kind of action one ordinarily associates with the world’s most repressive regimes. It’s genuinely shocking that this appears to be what’s going on right here. 1/
March 9, 2025 at 11:55 PM
Arresting and threatening to deport students because of their participation in political protest is the kind of action one ordinarily associates with the world’s most repressive regimes. It’s genuinely shocking that this appears to be what’s going on right here. 1/
Reposted by Carrie DeCell
As reported here by @telliotter.bsky.social www.wired.com/story/rights... grantees of the US govt are being told they must comply with the govt's anti-DEI purge for all of their programs, even those not funded by the USG. If you are such an NGO, I'd love to talk to you. For Contact my info: eff.org
March 6, 2025 at 7:08 PM
As reported here by @telliotter.bsky.social www.wired.com/story/rights... grantees of the US govt are being told they must comply with the govt's anti-DEI purge for all of their programs, even those not funded by the USG. If you are such an NGO, I'd love to talk to you. For Contact my info: eff.org
Reposted by Carrie DeCell
Today, we sent a letter to Johnson reminding him that the First Amendment does not tolerate discrimination on the basis of viewpoint by government officials and that they cannot block critics at public forums, in-person or online. Read the letter: knightcolumbia.org/documents/t1...
Letter to House Speaker Johnson (3/6/2025)
knightcolumbia.org
March 6, 2025 at 5:52 PM
Today, we sent a letter to Johnson reminding him that the First Amendment does not tolerate discrimination on the basis of viewpoint by government officials and that they cannot block critics at public forums, in-person or online. Read the letter: knightcolumbia.org/documents/t1...
USCIS is proposing to extend social media disclosure requirements adopted by the State Dep’t in 2019 to millions more applicants for immigration benefits each year:
public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2025-03492.pdf
public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2025-03492.pdf
public-inspection.federalregister.gov
March 4, 2025 at 9:45 PM
USCIS is proposing to extend social media disclosure requirements adopted by the State Dep’t in 2019 to millions more applicants for immigration benefits each year:
public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2025-03492.pdf
public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2025-03492.pdf
Reposted by Carrie DeCell
Re: the FTC and the platforms
We *should* be concerned about platform power over speech, but it isn’t censorship.
As the Supreme Court said last year, the companies’ editorial decisions to moderate content are protected by the First Amendment.
1/
We *should* be concerned about platform power over speech, but it isn’t censorship.
As the Supreme Court said last year, the companies’ editorial decisions to moderate content are protected by the First Amendment.
1/
February 20, 2025 at 10:50 PM
Re: the FTC and the platforms
We *should* be concerned about platform power over speech, but it isn’t censorship.
As the Supreme Court said last year, the companies’ editorial decisions to moderate content are protected by the First Amendment.
1/
We *should* be concerned about platform power over speech, but it isn’t censorship.
As the Supreme Court said last year, the companies’ editorial decisions to moderate content are protected by the First Amendment.
1/
Reposted by Carrie DeCell
New @knightcolumbia.org essay: Americans’ broad rights to access media of their choosing are due in part to a Cold War case, Lamont v Postmaster General. @georgewang.bsky.social shows why a fight about communist snail mail is so relevant in the age of social media. knightcolumbia.org/content/list...
Listeners’ Rights in the Time of Propaganda: The Story of Lamont v. Postmaster General
knightcolumbia.org
February 14, 2025 at 4:32 PM
New @knightcolumbia.org essay: Americans’ broad rights to access media of their choosing are due in part to a Cold War case, Lamont v Postmaster General. @georgewang.bsky.social shows why a fight about communist snail mail is so relevant in the age of social media. knightcolumbia.org/content/list...
Trump’s poised to order deportation of pro-Palestinian student protestors. Here’s the thing—the First Amendment protects everyone in the United States, including foreign citizens studying at American universities.
www.reuters.com/world/us/tru...
www.reuters.com/world/us/tru...
Trump administration to cancel student visas of all 'Hamas sympathizers', White House says
U.S. President Donald Trump will sign an executive order on Wednesday to combat antisemitism and pledge to deport non-citizen college students and other resident aliens who took part in pro-Palestinian protests, a White House official said.
www.reuters.com
January 29, 2025 at 8:13 PM
Trump’s poised to order deportation of pro-Palestinian student protestors. Here’s the thing—the First Amendment protects everyone in the United States, including foreign citizens studying at American universities.
www.reuters.com/world/us/tru...
www.reuters.com/world/us/tru...
Reposted by Carrie DeCell
TikTok’s future will turn on politics, not on today’s ruling, but by upholding the ban, the Court has markedly expanded the government’s power to censor in the name of national security. Its implications for TikTok may be limited, but the ruling creates a lot of space for other repressive policies.
January 17, 2025 at 3:27 PM
TikTok’s future will turn on politics, not on today’s ruling, but by upholding the ban, the Court has markedly expanded the government’s power to censor in the name of national security. Its implications for TikTok may be limited, but the ruling creates a lot of space for other repressive policies.
Reposted by Carrie DeCell
Federal court rules that the First Amendment protects the right of the press and public to attend bail hearings. Super victory for the Texas Tribune, Mano Amiga, Texas Fair Defense Project, and of course my colleagues at @knightcolumbia.org. knightcolumbia.org/content/fede...
February 6, 2024 at 5:23 PM
Federal court rules that the First Amendment protects the right of the press and public to attend bail hearings. Super victory for the Texas Tribune, Mano Amiga, Texas Fair Defense Project, and of course my colleagues at @knightcolumbia.org. knightcolumbia.org/content/fede...
Yes: "Ultimately, the global community sees the extraordinary abuses facilitated by the spyware industry & perpetrated by its clients. A global regime of control & accountability, driven by human rights standards & with which gov'ts find it in their best interests to comply, must be the endgame."
August 25, 2023 at 7:47 PM
Yes: "Ultimately, the global community sees the extraordinary abuses facilitated by the spyware industry & perpetrated by its clients. A global regime of control & accountability, driven by human rights standards & with which gov'ts find it in their best interests to comply, must be the endgame."