A federal judge has temporarily blocked the Trump management’s attempt too prevent Harvard University from enrolling international students. The decision came one day after the administration announced the policy, which Harvard argued violated its rights under the First Amendment and due process of law.

The University’s Response

Harvard swiftly filed a lawsuit, asserting that the measure would have an immediate and devastating effect on the institution and its over 7,000 visa-holding students. Acting university president Alan M. Garber condemned the action in a letter to the harvard community:

We condemn this illegal and unjustified action.She endangers the future of thousands of students and researchers throughout Harvard and serves as a warning for countless other students at colleges and universities across the country who came to the United states to seek their education and realize their dreams.

Alan M. Garber, Acting President, harvard University

Legal Intervention

U.S.District Judge Allison Burroughs, an appointee of former Democratic President Barack Obama, issued a temporary restraining order, effectively freezing the policy. This intervention provided immediate relief to the thousands of international students facing uncertainty.

Impact on International Students

The Trump administration’s decision to revoke Harvard’s certification to enroll international students created a precarious situation. The timing of the declaration, after acceptance letters had been sent for the fall semester and transfer deadlines to other institutions had passed, left current and prospective students in limbo.The order stipulated that international students already enrolled would have to transfer or risk losing their legal status.

Broader Context: A Clash with the White house

This move occurred amid ongoing tensions between Harvard and the Trump administration, especially concerning measures related to anti-Semitism on campuses. harvard had previously sued the administration over blocked federal funds, arguing that the government was attempting to control university governance, admissions processes, and faculty hiring. The administration also sought to restrict the admission of international students deemed hostile to American values and to promote a specific diversity of viewpoints.

Harvard’s Accusations

In its lawsuit, Harvard accused the Trump administration of retaliation for the university’s exercise of its First Amendment rights. The university argued that the administration was attempting to control its governance, curriculum, and the ideology of its teachers and students. Harvard further stated:

With a simple administrative act, the government tried to erase a room of Harvard’s student body – international students who contribute substantially to the university and its mission. Without them, Harvard is not Harvard.

The administration’s Justification

The Trump administration claimed that Harvard had failed to meet a list of requirements sent on April 16, including records of protest activities and disciplinary records involving international students over the past five years. Harvard responded that it had submitted the requested data by April 30, despite the unprecedented nature and scope of the request, which demanded facts on approximately 7,000 student visa holders within 10 business days.

According to the lawsuit, the Department of homeland Security (DHS) deemed Harvard’s response insufficient on May 22, without providing a clear explanation or citing any specific rule that the university had violated. The lawsuit also referenced Trump’s posts on his social network, Social Truth, as evidence of his hostility toward the university.

DHS Allegations

The DHS asserted that Harvard’s leadership created an unsafe habitat on campus by allowing anti-American agitators and pro-terrorists to physically harass and assume individuals, including many Jewish students, and obstruct their once venerable learning environment. The department further alleged that many of thes agitators are foreign students and accused Harvard of engaging in coordinated activities with the Chinese Communist Party.

Impact on chinese Students

If the ban were to take effect, Chinese students, who constitute the largest portion of Harvard’s international student population, would be disproportionately affected. The flow of students from Beijing to Washington has historically been a crucial aspect of the relationship between the two countries,despite increasing geopolitical tensions.

Official data indicates that approximately 1,300 Chinese students are currently enrolled at Harvard University, and 280,000 attended other U.S.universities in 2023-2024. Despite the declining prestige of other American symbols in China, U.S.universities remain highly aspirational.

Harvard’s Stance Against Anti-Semitism

Harvard University has been a focal point in the debate over anti-Semitism in U.S. universities, particularly since the outbreak of the war in Gaza in 2023. Numerous campus protests have been characterized as anti-Semitic by many in the American political establishment.

Following her election victory, Trump threatened to cut funding to institutions that did not adhere to her guidelines, which included restrictions on protests and changes to departments focused on the Middle East. Students accused of participating in protests or expressing extremist views faced arrest and potential deportation.

While some institutions, like columbia University, yielded to pressure to avoid losing federal funding, Harvard preferred to face Trump, even with the threat of losing access to approximately $9 billion in federal financing. Since April, about $4 billion has been suspended across various fronts, including direct funding and research initiatives.