Harvard sues Trump administration for blocking foreign student enrolment

Harvard University has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, alleging a “blatant violation” of the law by the administration’s decision to revoke the university’s ability to enroll international students.

This escalation of the dispute between the White House and one of America’s most prestigious institutions comes after officials at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced their intention to revoke Harvard’s access to student visa programs on the same day.

The Trump administration contends that Harvard has failed to adequately address antisemitism and has made insufficient changes to its hiring and admissions practices. These allegations are vehemently denied by the university.

Harvard boasts approximately 6,800 international students, comprising over 27% of its student body this year. The university asserts that the government’s actions have the potential to erase a significant portion of its student body, including international students who contribute substantially to the university’s mission.

In response to the DHS’s move on Thursday to revoke Harvard’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification, the university has sought a court order to halt this action. This certification serves as the mechanism that enables the university to enroll foreign students.

Harvard President Alan Garber expressed strong condemnation of the unlawful and unwarranted action taken by the government. He emphasized that the revocation continues a series of retaliatory actions by the government against Harvard for its refusal to surrender its academic independence and submit to the federal government’s assertion of control over its curriculum, faculty, and student body.

The Trump administration has targeted Harvard and other elite universities, not only demanding stricter measures to combat pro-Palestinian activism but also asserting that these institutions discriminate against conservative viewpoints.

In response to these concerns, the Trump administration has launched investigations into numerous universities across the country. These investigations have led to concessions from other prominent US institutions, such as Columbia University in New York.

In April, the White House froze $2.2 billion (£1.7 billion) in federal funding for Harvard University. This move has led to threats from President Trump to revoke the university’s tax-exempt status, which is a standard designation for US educational institutions.

In response to the funding freeze, Harvard filed an earlier lawsuit, seeking to halt the administration’s actions. Harvard, a prestigious member of America’s elite Ivy League class of universities, is situated just outside Boston in Cambridge, Massachusetts.