Florida International University faces injunction over student speech policy

A federal judge has issued a preliminary injunction against Florida International University (FIU), temporarily preventing the institution from enforcing its indoor expressive-activity policy against a group of student protesters. U.S. District Judge Jacqueline Becerra granted the request in a lawsuit filed by the student group ICEBreakers.

The legal challenge centers on FIU Regulation 110(3), which prohibits certain expressive activities inside campus buildings. The students argue the policy was unconstitutionally applied to punish them for a silent protest held in March. During that demonstration, students wore shirts reading ‘ICE OFF FIU’ to protest a university agreement that allows campus police to assist with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations.

Following the demonstration, FIU identified several students for violating indoor activity rules and required them to record videos explaining their understanding of the regulations. The American Civil Liberties Union of Florida filed the lawsuit on behalf of the students. While the injunction halts disciplinary enforcement against six of the students for now, it does not constitute a final ruling on the constitutionality of the university’s policies.