Four American Muslim men have lost their bid for monetary damages against FBI agents accused of violating the First Amendment by placing the men on the No-Fly List to coerce them to spy on their religious communities.

Southern District Judge Ronnie Abrams agreed with the government that some 25 agents cannot be sued for money in their personal capacity for either putting plaintiffs on the list or keeping their name on it as a coercive measure in anti-terrorism investigations.

“Although federal law imposes limits on the investigative tactics federal officials may employ in seeking to keep this nation safe, it also establishes limits on the manner in which an individual may vindicate his rights should those tactics cross the line,” Abrams said in Tanvir v. Lynch, 13-cv-06951.