A federal judge on Friday temporarily halted the Trump administration’s order that barred Harvard University from enrolling international students. The move came hours after Harvard filed a lawsuit challenging the Department of Homeland Security’s decision to revoke its certification in the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), which effectively prevented the university from admitting foreign students.
Harvard’s lawsuit argues that the administration’s action amounts to retaliation against the university for resisting government demands related to its governance, curriculum, and faculty ideology. The university emphasized the importance of its international student body, which constitutes about 27 percent of its enrollment, and warned that barring these students would destabilize Harvard’s academic environment and future.
At the heart of the dispute is the Trump administration’s claim that Harvard failed to comply with requests for detailed student disciplinary records and other data linked to protests and conduct on campus. The administration’s demands included a five-year history of protest activity, videotapes of misconduct, and disciplinary records specifically involving international students.
According to CNN, U.S. District Court Judge Allison Burroughs issued a temporary restraining order after determining that Harvard demonstrated it would suffer “immediate and irreparable injury” if the government’s revocation were allowed to stand before the court fully reviews the case. The judge scheduled further hearings to consider a preliminary injunction that could block the administration’s policy until a final decision is reached.
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Read More: Trump Administration Revokes Harvard’s Ability to Enroll International Students Over Policy Dispute
Harvard’s president, Dr. Alan M. Garber, condemned the federal action as unlawful and warned that it jeopardizes the futures of thousands of students and scholars not just at Harvard, but across the U.S. He pledged full support to international students affected by the order.
The university’s lawsuit further accuses the administration of a “campaign of retribution” for Harvard exercising its First Amendment rights and rejects the administration’s characterization of the enrollment restrictions as justified. The conflict is part of a broader series of investigations and government actions targeting Harvard, including a freeze on billions of dollars in federal research funding and a threat to revoke its tax-exempt status.
According to The New York Times, Harvard stated that it had complied with the government’s requests despite their unprecedented scope and timeline, but was still deemed “insufficient” without clear explanation from the Department of Homeland Security. Harvard emphasized that international students are integral to its mission, and without them, “Harvard is not Harvard.”
The Trump administration has defended its measures as efforts to combat antisemitism and address ideological bias on campuses. However, critics argue that the actions threaten academic freedom and the openness that American universities have long championed.
Many Harvard international students and staff have expressed fear and uncertainty about their futures. Some students worry about losing their legal status, the need to transfer schools, and interruptions to internships and financial aid. Faculty members warn that the removal of international students could severely impact Harvard’s research output and overall academic strength.
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