Harvard sues Trump administration over ban on international students

Published 23/05/2025, 13:50
© Reuters

Investing.com -- Harvard University filed a second lawsuit against the Trump administration on Friday, less than a day after the Department of Homeland Security moved to prevent international students from attending the university.

The legal action, brought in federal court in Boston, challenges the government’s decision to revoke Harvard’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification.

In its complaints, Harvard described the move as a “blatant violation” of the First Amendment and other federal laws, warning that the decision would have an “immediate and devastating effect” on the institution and its more than 7,000 international visa holders.

The suit marks a significant escalation in tensions between Harvard and the administration. The university’s swift response highlights the importance of its global student population, which includes many of the world’s top scholars. In a message to the Harvard community, Dr. Alan M. Garber, the university’s president, condemned the move.

“We condemn this unlawful and unwarranted action,” Dr. Garber said. “It imperils the futures of thousands of students and scholars across Harvard and serves as a warning to countless others at colleges and universities throughout the country who have come to America to pursue their education and fulfill their dreams.”

According to the lawsuit, the administration’s decision was retaliatory, prompted by Harvard’s exercise of its First Amendment rights. It came one day after the government informed the university of the revocation of its SEVP certification, effectively barring it from enrolling international students.

Harvard indicated it would seek a temporary restraining order to block the decision.

The complaint also referenced an April 16 letter from the government, which demanded records of protest activity going back five years, including video footage of alleged misconduct and disciplinary records involving international students. Harvard claimed it had been working to comply with that request.

The administration has framed its actions as part of a broader campaign to address antisemitism and ideological bias in higher education. President Trump, during his campaign, referred to Ivy League institutions as “Marxist maniacs.”

Since taking office, the administration has launched numerous investigations into Harvard—now at least eight, across multiple federal agencies.

It has also used immigration enforcement to scrutinize international students, targeting pro-Palestinian activists and stripping legal status from hundreds more, creating widespread concern among foreign students at U.S. universities.

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