EFF, Unions Sue Trump Administration Over Alleged Mass Social Media Surveillance Of Legal Residents
Digital rights advocates are taking a stand. The EFF, unions sue Trump administration over alleged mass social media surveillance of legal residents, accusing the government of illegally monitoring immigrants and visa holders online.
The lawsuit, filed Thursday by the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), claims the Trump administration used AI-driven tools to track and flag social media posts made by legal residents and visa holders in the United States. The surveillance allegedly targets those expressing political or cultural opinions that the administration deems unfavorable.
EFF Alleges AI-Powered Social Media Monitoring
According to the EFF, the Trump administration’s surveillance goes far beyond typical immigration screening. The group says the government has been monitoring the social media activity of nearly all non-citizens, including permanent residents and those holding valid visas.
The lawsuit alleges the administration uses artificial intelligence and automated systems to identify posts critical of U.S. policies, pro-Palestine sentiment, or messages sympathetic to student protests. It also includes posts seen as minimizing the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk or criticizing the administration itself.
EFF argues this represents an unlawful “viewpoint-based” surveillance campaign that violates the First Amendment rights of immigrants and workers.
Unions Join EFF In Free Speech Lawsuit
Backing the EFF are major labor organizations, including the auto union, teachers union, and communication workers union. These groups say their immigrant members have been unfairly targeted and silenced due to the government’s social media monitoring practices.
The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, claiming the actions amount to political retaliation and unlawful punishment.
EFF asserts that the threats of visa revocation and immigration confinement are being used to intimidate lawful residents into silence, creating a chilling effect on free expression.
State Department Posts Highlight The Controversy
The case cites several examples from the U.S. State Department’s official X account, including a pinned post showing revoked visas of individuals who commented about Charlie Kirk’s assassination.
One post from the department stated:
“The United States has no obligation to host foreigners who wish death on Americans.”
EFF argues this demonstrates the government’s intent to punish speech based on political viewpoints rather than genuine security threats.
EFF Says Surveillance Violates Free Speech
EFF lawyers contend that the government’s mass social media surveillance is unconstitutional, amounting to digital censorship under the guise of national security.
“Tracking lawful residents’ social media posts because they criticize government policy or express solidarity with certain groups undermines free expression,” the group said in a statement.
Legal experts say the case could set a precedent for how AI surveillance technologies are used by governments in monitoring online behavior—particularly when it involves political speech.
What’s Next For The Lawsuit
The EFF, unions sue Trump administration over alleged mass social media surveillance of legal residents in what could become a landmark case on digital privacy and civil rights. The outcome may determine how far the U.S. government can go in monitoring the online speech of immigrants living within its borders.
EFF says it will continue to push for greater transparency in how federal agencies use AI for surveillance and urges Congress to enact stricter privacy protections.
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