Overview
- The U.S. imposed entry bans on five Europeans, naming HateAid co‑directors Anna‑Lena von Hodenberg and Josephine Ballon, ex‑EU commissioner Thierry Breton, Clare Melford, and Imran Ahmed.
- Imran Ahmed, head of the Center for Countering Digital Hate and a U.S. green‑card holder, sued federal officials and won a preliminary injunction blocking his arrest or detention, with a hearing set for Monday.
- HateAid said U.S. authorities already revoked Josephine Ballon’s ESTA authorization and the group is assessing potential knock‑on effects on payments and access to U.S.‑based services.
- The European Commission and leaders in Germany and France condemned the move, requested explanations from Washington, and signaled that retaliatory steps remain under consideration.
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio labeled the targets “radical activists,” accusing them of pushing censorship via the EU’s Digital Services Act and warning the list could grow, a claim the organizations firmly reject.