Federal Judge Blocks FIU Discipline of Silent ICE Protesters
A U.S. district judge issued a preliminary injunction stopping Florida International University from enforcing its indoor protest ban on students who silently displayed "ICE OFF FIU" shirts.
In March, a group of Florida International University students wore "ICE OFF FIU" shirts and stood silently while the university president hosted former baseball player Alex Rodriguez. The administration charged seven participants with misconduct, issued written reprimands to six, and forced them to record short videos explaining the school's expressive-activities policy. On Sunday, U.S. Southern District of Florida Judge Jacqueline Becerra granted a preliminary injunction, halting enforcement of the university's indoor protest prohibition.
She ruled the policy likely infringes on the students' First Amendment rights, referencing the Tinker v. Des Moines decision. The lawsuit, filed on August 11, also seeks compensatory damages and a declaration that Regulation 110(3) is unconstitutional. Civil-liberties organization FIRE has backed the students, while FIU said it will comply with the order while exploring legal options.
Why it matters
The case tests how far universities can limit non-disruptive political expression on campus.
In this story
