He’s the Cornell graduate student at the center of a First Amendment case. Momodou Taal says his free speech rights were violated by the recent executive orders issued by the White House. A motion hearing was held Tuesday in Syracuse federal court as Taal's lawyers say he is facing deportation.

The case started recently when Taal sued the Trump administration over two executive orders targeting free speech and calling for the deportation of foreign student protestors.

Taal, who has dual-citizenship in the United Kingdom and Gambia and has spoken out at pro-Palestinian protests, sued President Donald Trump in an effort to block the executive orders. Within days after the suit was filed, Taal was told to surrender to ICE agents.

Unidentified law enforcement agents have allegedly been seen outside Taal’s residence since filing the suit, moving him to request a temporary restraining order to block detention and deportation attempts.

It’s a case that has caught the attention of the people, and while Taal was not present at Tuesday's hearing, multiple overflow courtrooms were filled with his supporters calling for the protection of a constitutional right – free speech.

Taal’s attorney, Eric Lee, argued on his behalf, saying the actions of the executive branch were unconstitutional and an overreach. He asked the court for a national injunction against orders that go against the Immigration and Nationality Act.

The defense, arguing in favor of the president’s orders, responded that there has been no injury to Taal that is tangible enough to call for an injunction.

The plaintiffs, however, say Taal is afraid and has had to self-censor his speech and social media and alter his interactions with peers and professors, something that has interrupted his academic pursuits.

Taal’s attorney also confirmed that he was not present at Tuesday's hearing out fear of detainment. Lee also argued this is a case of retribution, that the government is now threatening Taal after he filed suit.

The defendents, however, argue Taal had his student visa revoked the day before that suit was filed, though Lee is concerned about the timing of that revocation.

Lee said the case is bigger than Taal, and sets a precedent for how the executive branch is able to treat those who speak up against it.

"Momo is test case that will determine whether the government can come to your house, grab you, put you and jail for criticizing the U.S. government and its policies," Lee said.

He said he does not know when a decision will be made in this case, but he is optimistic about his arguments made in courtroom Tuesday.

The judge overseeing the case, Judge Elizabeth Coombe, says that if the order of removal against Taal is approved, he would have a chance to appeal.

This is not an isolated incident, as there are two other ongoing cases in New York, including those involving Mahmoud Khalil, the Columbia University student who was arrested this month for his active role in protests against Israel. Another Columbia student, Yunseo Chung, also faces deportation as a result of her participation in pro-Palestinian protests. 

A federal judge on Tuesday ruled Chung cannot be detained by immigration officials for now as she fights the Trump administration in court.

Khalil and Chung are both in the United States as permanent residents, The Associated Press reports.