A federal judge has issued a temporary order preventing the Trump administration from detaining and deporting British anti-disinformation campaigner Imran Ahmed, after he challenged a recent visa ban and deportation threat as unconstitutional.

U.S. District Judge Vernon Broderick granted the restraining order on Thursday, blocking federal authorities from arresting, detaining or removing Ahmed while his legal challenge proceeds. Ahmed is a lawful permanent resident of the United States and CEO of the Center for Countering Digital Hate. He's living in the country with his U.S. citizen wife and child.

A court conference is scheduled for Dec. 29 to address the government’s actions, according to reports.

Ahmed filed a lawsuit in the Southern District of New York after the U.S. State Department on Dec. 23 included him among five Europeans hit with visa bans over allegedly encouraging or supporting efforts to pressure U.S. tech companies in ways that amount to censorship of American speech, according to France 24.

His complaint names Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. He argued the deportation attempt violates his constitutional rights to free speech and due process and his legal team called the action “political retaliation.” 

The administration has defended its authority under immigration law, asserting that the United States is not obligated to admit or allow residency to foreign nationals it deems a threat to U.S. foreign policy interests.