Federal Court blocks immigration policy targeting independent technology researchers
Today, a federal court blocked enforcement of a U.S. immigration policy that targets and censors non-citizen independent technology researchers. The Coalition for Independent Technology Research—of which I am a member—sued to challenge this policy, which was being used to call for visa revocation and even deportation of people who study online harms and societal impacts of technology. Today’s decision in CITR v. Rubio suspending the policy’s enforcement is temporary—not the end of our case against government censorship—but it’s a major step forward for independent technology research.
As an independent technology researcher and an immigrant to the US, I'm taking a moment to celebrate this important milestone: a ruling that helps counter the deep chilling effect this policy has had across the independent research community. Independent work by researchers, advocates, journalists, fact-checkers, and trust and safety workers is crucial in understanding the impact that technology continues to have on the societies we live in. We should be able to do this without fear of censorship, repression or reprisal.
