Imran Ahmed, director of the Center for Countering Digital Hate and a US lawful permanent resident, denounced a US decision to refuse visas to him and four other Europeans as "punishment" for his organisation's work exposing online disinformation. The State Department accused the group of trying to "coerce" platforms into suppressing American viewpoints — an allegation Ahmed rejects. He has sued the Trump administration in New York and sought a restraining order to prevent detention or removal, saying the move threatens his family life. Ahmed called the action "tyrannical" and vowed to continue CCDH's scrutiny of platforms while opposing government overreach.
Imran Ahmed Calls US Visa Ban 'Punishment' and 'Tyrannical' — Sues Administration
Imran Ahmed was among five European figures whom the State Department recently said would be denied visas (Brendan Smialowski)(Brendan Smialowski/AFP/AFP)
British technology campaigner Imran Ahmed on Friday condemned a recent US decision to bar him from receiving a visa, calling the move "punishment" for his nonprofit's work exposing online disinformation and holding major platforms to account. Ahmed, a US lawful permanent resident, leads the Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH), which researches the harms caused by social media and related platform practices. He was one of five European figures the State Department said it would refuse visas to.
The State Department has alleged the group sought to "coerce" technology platforms into suppressing Americans' viewpoints — a charge Ahmed and his colleagues strongly reject. The European Union and several member states criticized the US action, and the International Fact-Checking Network last month said it was "deeply concerned" by reports the State Department instructed staff to deny visas to people involved in fact-checking and content moderation.
AFP spoke with Ahmed after he filed a lawsuit against President Donald Trump's administration in a New York court. The following exchange has been edited for length and clarity.
Interview Highlights
QUESTION: How do you interpret the US visa restrictions over "censorship" concerns?
ANSWER: This appears to be retaliation for the advocacy and research CCDH carries out. Our work examines social media and AI platforms, documents harms, informs the public, and urges lawmakers and regulators — in the United States and abroad — to act. That is accountability, not coercion. Governments, not nonprofits, hold the power of state force to censor. Penalizing a nonprofit for speaking out is itself a form of censorship.
"The First Amendment exists so people can speak without fear or favour. In this instance, it seems I'm being punished precisely for my speech."
QUESTION: How are you challenging the visa ban?
ANSWER: We have sought a restraining order to prevent the government from detaining or arresting me. That step is necessary because, in the past, the Trump administration moved to cancel green cards and used ICE to detain and remove lawful permanent residents, separating them from family and support networks. I received permanent residency through marriage and because I have American children; the government must follow the law and the Constitution in how it treats a legal permanent resident — which is why we are in court.
QUESTION: Why has disinformation research become such a political flashpoint?
ANSWER: Our research highlights real harms linked to platform behaviour, which can upset powerful interests. CCDH has faced legal challenges before, including an unsuccessful lawsuit brought by Elon Musk, so scrutiny from big tech is expected. What alarms me is when commercial and political power align to try to silence civil-society critics.
QUESTION: Elon Musk praised the US move. What personal impact have the sanctions had on you?
ANSWER: It is distressing to see anyone celebrate actions that risk separating a parent from their children. Our studies found a rise in hate speech after Musk took control of the platform X, and that research matters: advertisers and the public deserve transparency about where content appears. My priorities are to ensure CCDH continues its watchdog work and to oppose what I view as authoritarian behaviour by governments seeking to punish critics.
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