UT Students Win Right to Proceed with Retaliation Lawsuit Over Pro-Palestinian Protests

Federal judge allows claims of free speech violations and disciplinary retaliation to move forward against university officials

Feb. 4, 2026 at 5:31pm

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A federal judge has ruled that a group of University of Texas students can move forward with a lawsuit claiming the university retaliated against them for participating in pro-Palestinian protests in 2024. The students allege they faced arrests, disciplinary action, and damage to their academic and employment prospects due to their political speech, which they argue was protected under the First Amendment.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing tensions between universities' authority to enforce campus policies and students' constitutional rights to free expression. The ruling suggests the court sees merit in the students' claims that UT unfairly singled them out and punished them for their political views, raising questions about the boundaries of acceptable campus protest and disciplinary measures.

The details

In April 2024, over 130 UT students were arrested at two pro-Palestinian protests on campus. The university said the demonstrations were dangerous and disruptive, while the students and civil rights groups insisted they were peaceful. Four of the arrested students later sued UT, claiming unlawful seizure, viewpoint discrimination, and retaliation. A federal judge has now allowed the retaliation claim to proceed, dismissing the students' other arguments due to qualified immunity protections for the officials. The judge cited evidence that similar protests were held without arrests or discipline, and that counterprotesters were not arrested, suggesting the university may have selectively targeted the pro-Palestinian students.

  • The protests occurred on April 24, 2024.
  • The students filed their lawsuit against UT last year.
  • The federal judge issued his ruling allowing the retaliation claim to move forward on February 3, 2026.

The players

Mia Cisco, Arwyn Heilrayne, Iliana Medrano, Citlalli Soto-Ferate

Current and former UT students who were arrested at the 2024 pro-Palestinian protests and are suing the university for retaliation.

Kevin Eltife

UT System Chairman named as a defendant in the lawsuit.

Jim Davis

UT President named as a defendant, standing in for former UT President Jay Hartzell.

Christina Jump

Attorney representing the student plaintiffs.

Chelsea Glover

Attorney from the Constitutional Law Center for Muslims in America also representing the student plaintiffs.

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What they’re saying

“The courts recognize they have the right to move forward, they have the right to their day in court. They have a chance at redemption.”

— Christina Jump, Attorney for student plaintiffs

“These students have the right to exercise their First Amendment-protected rights to free speech, to peacefully protest. When they did that, and when they spoke out in ways that the administration of UT didn't like, they were retaliated against in the way they were treated by the university and by university officials.”

— Christina Jump, Attorney for student plaintiffs

“We think that it's clear that they were targeted for their pro-Palestinian speech, which is protected under the First Amendment. Discovery will bring those facts to light, and the school and the Board of Regents will be held responsible.”

— Chelsea Glover, Attorney, Constitutional Law Center for Muslims in America

What’s next

The case will now enter the discovery phase, where additional evidence and testimony will be gathered. The students' legal team is also discussing whether to file an appeal to include their other two dismissed arguments.

The takeaway

This ruling underscores the delicate balance universities must strike between maintaining order on campus and respecting students' constitutional rights to free expression. The outcome of this case could have broader implications for how public universities handle political protests and disciplinary actions, particularly when the views expressed are controversial.