A judge started his ruling against Trump with a handwritten note. Here's what it said BrieAnna J. Frank, USA TODAYOctober 2, 2025 at 3:07 AM 0 A Sept.
- - A judge started his ruling against Trump with a handwritten note. Here's what it said
BrieAnna J. Frank, USA TODAYOctober 2, 2025 at 3:07 AM
0
A Sept. 30 opinion from a federal judge in Boston that ruled against President Donald Trump's administration began in an unusual way – with a scanned handwritten note that had been sent to his office.
"Trump has pardons and tanks – what do you have?" reads the note, dated June 19, at the top of U.S. District Judge William Young's opinion that said Trump's effort to deport foreign-born student protesters was unconstitutional.
"Dear Mr. or Ms. Anonymous," reads the start of Young's typed response. "Alone, I have nothing but my sense of duty. Together, We the People of the United States – you and me – have our magnificent Constitution. Here's how that works out in a specific case −."
A screenshot showing the handwritten note sent to U.S. District Judge William Young and his typed response in his opinion in AAUP v. Rubio.
His 161-page opinion followed, concluding with his finding that Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, along with their subordinates, misused their authority "to target non-citizen pro-Palestinians for deportation primarily on account of their First Amendment protected political speech."
It was a "really monumental" ruling, said Knight First Amendment Institute staff attorney George Wang. The organization represented the plaintiffs – the American Association of University Professors and its chapters at several universities, as well as the Middle East Studies Association – in the case.
White House spokesperson Liz Huston told USA TODAY the administration "will immediately appeal this errant decision" and is "confident we will be vindicated on review."
USA TODAY reached out to the court for comment.
Here's what to know about the case and its First Amendment implications.
An immigration judge ordered Khalil be deported to Algeria or Syria over claims that he omitted information from his green card application, court documents showed on Sept. 17, 2025, according to Reuters. See his journey in pictures, from student protests to the U.S. Capitol, including here after arriving at Newark Liberty International Airport on June 21, 2025 in Newark, N.J.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Since pro-Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil was detained and freed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement after 104 days in a Louisiana immigration detention center, he has continued to speak out for his beliefs. An immigration judge ordered Khalil be deported to Algeria or Syria over claims that he omitted information from his green card application, court documents showed on Sept. 17, 2025, according to Reuters. See his journey in pictures, from student protests to the U.S. Capitol, including here after arriving at Newark Liberty International Airport on June 21, 2025 in Newark, N.J.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/OuSIhQb class=caas-img data-headline="From Columbia protests and ICE detention to the US Capitol, see Mahmoud Khalil" data-caption="
Since pro-Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil was detained and freed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement after 104 days in a Louisiana immigration detention center, he has continued to speak out for his beliefs. An immigration judge ordered Khalil be deported to Algeria or Syria over claims that he omitted information from his green card application, court documents showed on Sept. 17, 2025, according to Reuters. See his journey in pictures, from student protests to the U.S. Capitol, including here after arriving at Newark Liberty International Airport on June 21, 2025 in Newark, N.J.
">Since pro-Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil was detained and freed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement after 104 days in a Louisiana immigration detention center, he has continued to speak out for his beliefs. An immigration judge ordered Khalil be deported to Algeria or Syria over claims that he omitted information from his green card application, court documents showed on Sept. 17, 2025, according to Reuters. See his journey in pictures, from student protests to the U.S. Capitol, including here after arriving at Newark Liberty International Airport on June 21, 2025 in Newark, N.J.
" src=https://ift.tt/OuSIhQb class=caas-img>Khalil and his wife Noor Abdalla on New Year's Eve in 2024. Khalil was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement on March 8, 2025. Noor Abdalla said in a statement that she requested ICE to allow her husband, 30, a legal permanent resident, to attend the birth of their son, who was born on April 21, 2025. She said they denied his temporary release from a Louisiana ICE facility more than 1,000 miles away.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Khalil and his wife Noor Abdalla on New Year's Eve in 2024. Khalil was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement on March 8, 2025. Noor Abdalla said in a statement that she requested ICE to allow her husband, 30, a legal permanent resident, to attend the birth of their son, who was born on April 21, 2025. She said they denied his temporary release from a Louisiana ICE facility more than 1,000 miles away.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/QbcmTF0 class=caas-img data-headline="From Columbia protests and ICE detention to the US Capitol, see Mahmoud Khalil" data-caption="
Khalil and his wife Noor Abdalla on New Year's Eve in 2024. Khalil was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement on March 8, 2025. Noor Abdalla said in a statement that she requested ICE to allow her husband, 30, a legal permanent resident, to attend the birth of their son, who was born on April 21, 2025. She said they denied his temporary release from a Louisiana ICE facility more than 1,000 miles away.
">Khalil and his wife Noor Abdalla on New Year's Eve in 2024. Khalil was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement on March 8, 2025. Noor Abdalla said in a statement that she requested ICE to allow her husband, 30, a legal permanent resident, to attend the birth of their son, who was born on April 21, 2025. She said they denied his temporary release from a Louisiana ICE facility more than 1,000 miles away.
" src=https://ift.tt/QbcmTF0 class=caas-img>Here, Khalil, 29, a graduate student at Columbia University, was notified by the school that he has been suspended. He stood outside the gates of the campus in Manhattan April 30, 2024. Khalil was part of the encampment on campus, but did not take part in occupying Hamilton Hall.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/FMRJUun class=caas-img data-headline="From Columbia protests and ICE detention to the US Capitol, see Mahmoud Khalil" data-caption="
Here, Khalil, 29, a graduate student at Columbia University, was notified by the school that he has been suspended. He stood outside the gates of the campus in Manhattan April 30, 2024. Khalil was part of the encampment on campus, but did not take part in occupying Hamilton Hall.
">Here, Khalil, 29, a graduate student at Columbia University, was notified by the school that he has been suspended. He stood outside the gates of the campus in Manhattan April 30, 2024. Khalil was part of the encampment on campus, but did not take part in occupying Hamilton Hall.
" src=https://ift.tt/FMRJUun class=caas-img>Protesters gather for a rally outside of the hearing for detained Columbia University graduate Mahmoud Khalil at U.S. District Court in Newark, N.J. on Friday, March 28, 2025.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/OsnUjkd class=caas-img data-headline="From Columbia protests and ICE detention to the US Capitol, see Mahmoud Khalil" data-caption="
Protesters gather for a rally outside of the hearing for detained Columbia University graduate Mahmoud Khalil at U.S. District Court in Newark, N.J. on Friday, March 28, 2025.
">Protesters gather for a rally outside of the hearing for detained Columbia University graduate Mahmoud Khalil at U.S. District Court in Newark, N.J. on Friday, March 28, 2025.
" src=https://ift.tt/OsnUjkd class=caas-img>
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) speaks to the press next to former Columbia University student Mahmoud Khalil as he is greeted by family and friends upon arrival at Newark airport in Newark, N.J., June 21, 2025. Khalil, a legal permanent resident in the United States who is married to a US citizen and has a US-born son, was in custody since March facing potential deportation.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/uHeJAk5 class=caas-img data-headline="From Columbia protests and ICE detention to the US Capitol, see Mahmoud Khalil" data-caption="
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) speaks to the press next to former Columbia University student Mahmoud Khalil as he is greeted by family and friends upon arrival at Newark airport in Newark, N.J., June 21, 2025. Khalil, a legal permanent resident in the United States who is married to a US citizen and has a US-born son, was in custody since March facing potential deportation.
">Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) speaks to the press next to former Columbia University student Mahmoud Khalil as he is greeted by family and friends upon arrival at Newark airport in Newark, N.J., June 21, 2025. Khalil, a legal permanent resident in the United States who is married to a US citizen and has a US-born son, was in custody since March facing potential deportation.
" src=https://ift.tt/uHeJAk5 class=caas-img>Khalil marches with supporters after he was released from ICE detention during a rally outside of the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in Manhattan on June 22, 2025 in New York City. Khalil was released Friday evening from an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Jena, Louisiana, after U.S. District Judge Michael Farbiarz issued an order granting his release on bail.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/eYXjExW class=caas-img data-headline="From Columbia protests and ICE detention to the US Capitol, see Mahmoud Khalil" data-caption="
Khalil marches with supporters after he was released from ICE detention during a rally outside of the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in Manhattan on June 22, 2025 in New York City. Khalil was released Friday evening from an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Jena, Louisiana, after U.S. District Judge Michael Farbiarz issued an order granting his release on bail.
">Khalil marches with supporters after he was released from ICE detention during a rally outside of the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in Manhattan on June 22, 2025 in New York City. Khalil was released Friday evening from an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Jena, Louisiana, after U.S. District Judge Michael Farbiarz issued an order granting his release on bail.
" src=https://ift.tt/eYXjExW class=caas-img>Khalil, accompanied by his wife Noor Abdalla, arrives for a press conference outside the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York on June 22, 2025, two days after his release from custody.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/fXsxZY3 class=caas-img data-headline="From Columbia protests and ICE detention to the US Capitol, see Mahmoud Khalil" data-caption="
Khalil, accompanied by his wife Noor Abdalla, arrives for a press conference outside the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York on June 22, 2025, two days after his release from custody.
">Khalil, accompanied by his wife Noor Abdalla, arrives for a press conference outside the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York on June 22, 2025, two days after his release from custody.
" src=https://ift.tt/fXsxZY3 class=caas-img>Khalil speaks at a Pro-Palestinian "March for Humanity" rally against the humanitarian crisis in Gaza on Aug. 16, 2025 in New York City. A coalition of over 200 groups and organizations, including Palestinian diaspora groups, pro-Palestinian solidarity groups, labor unions, anti-war groups, and faith groups organized the march.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/mARz7Lr class=caas-img data-headline="From Columbia protests and ICE detention to the US Capitol, see Mahmoud Khalil" data-caption="
Khalil speaks at a Pro-Palestinian "March for Humanity" rally against the humanitarian crisis in Gaza on Aug. 16, 2025 in New York City. A coalition of over 200 groups and organizations, including Palestinian diaspora groups, pro-Palestinian solidarity groups, labor unions, anti-war groups, and faith groups organized the march.
">Khalil speaks at a Pro-Palestinian "March for Humanity" rally against the humanitarian crisis in Gaza on Aug. 16, 2025 in New York City. A coalition of over 200 groups and organizations, including Palestinian diaspora groups, pro-Palestinian solidarity groups, labor unions, anti-war groups, and faith groups organized the march.
" src=https://ift.tt/mARz7Lr class=caas-img>Khalil shakes hands with Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA) outside of his office in the Cannon House Office Building on July 22, 2025 in Washington, DC.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/7FkV8QO class=caas-img data-headline="From Columbia protests and ICE detention to the US Capitol, see Mahmoud Khalil" data-caption="
Khalil shakes hands with Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA) outside of his office in the Cannon House Office Building on July 22, 2025 in Washington, DC.
">Khalil shakes hands with Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA) outside of his office in the Cannon House Office Building on July 22, 2025 in Washington, DC.
" src=https://ift.tt/7FkV8QO class=caas-img>
1 / 12From Columbia protests and ICE detention to the US Capitol, see Mahmoud Khalil
Since pro-Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil was detained and freed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement after 104 days in a Louisiana immigration detention center, he has continued to speak out for his beliefs. An immigration judge ordered Khalil be deported to Algeria or Syria over claims that he omitted information from his green card application, court documents showed on Sept. 17, 2025, according to Reuters. See his journey in pictures, from student protests to the U.S. Capitol, including here after arriving at Newark Liberty International Airport on June 21, 2025 in Newark, N.J.
What does the ruling say?
Though his ruling was in the plaintiffs' favor, Young pushed back against their notion of an "ideological deportation policy" within the Trump administration.
Rather, he wrote, the secretaries sought to "target a few for speaking out and then use the full rigor of the Immigration and Nationality Act – in ways it had never been used before – to have them publicly deported with the goal of tamping down pro-Palestinian student protests and terrorizing similarly situated non-citizen – and other – pro-Palestinians into silence because their views were unwelcome."
Young said Noem and Rubio "intentionally and in concert" implemented Trump's executive orders in a "viewpoint-discriminatory way to chill protected speech."
"This conduct violated the First Amendment," he wrote.
What else did the judge say about the First Amendment and non-citizen rights?
Young said the case hinged on whether legal non-citizens had free speech rights, adding that the case was "perhaps the most important ever" to fall within his court's jurisdiction.
"No one's freedom of speech is unlimited, of course, but these limits are the same for both citizens and non-citizens alike," Young wrote.
Wang said Young's ruling was "really significant for understanding First Amendment rights in this country."
"It shows just how precious our First Amendment freedoms are and shows that they require vigorous defense," he said.
Huston said Trump is a "staunch supporter and defender of First Amendment rights, but violent riots and student harassment are not protected speech."
What else did the Trump administration say about the ruling?
Huston called the ruling "outrageous" and said it "hampers the safety and security of our nation."
"It's stunning that even after the terrorist attack and recent arrests of rioters with guns outside of ICE facilities, this Judge decides to stoke the embers of hatred," Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said.
State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said the country is "under no obligation to allow foreign aliens to come to our country, commit acts of anti-American, pro-terrorist and antisemitic hate, or incite violence."
"We will continue to revoke the visas of those who put the safety of our citizens at risk," he said.
Who's Judge William Young?
Young is a Harvard Law School graduate who's been on the bench for 40 years.
In June, Young blocked the administration's termination of National Institutes of Health grants that slashed funding for research related to minority communities.
"I am hesitant to draw this conclusion, but I have an unflinching obligation to draw it: that this represents racial discrimination," Young said, according to The New York Times.
Young's Sept. 30 opinion ended as it began, with a response to the person who'd submitted the handwritten note.
"I hope you found this helpful," he wrote. "Thanks for writing. It shows you care. You should."
A screenshot showing the handwritten note sent to U.S. District Judge William Young and his typed response in his opinion in AAUP v. Rubio.
BrieAnna Frank is a First Amendment reporter at USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected].
USA TODAY's coverage of First Amendment issues is funded through a collaboration between the Freedom Forum and Journalism Funding Partners. Funders do not provide editorial input.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Judge includes handwritten note in ruling against Trump. What it said.
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