Blitz Bureau
A US judge on May 23 blocked the Trump administration from revoking Harvard University’s ability to enroll foreign students, a move that ratcheted up White House efforts to conform practices in academia to President Donald Trump’s policies, a Reuters report published by ndtv.com said. In a complaint filed in Boston federal court, Harvard called the revocation a “blatant violation” of the US Constitution and other federal laws, and had an “immediate and devastating effect” on the university and more than 7,000 visa holders.
“With the stroke of a pen, the Government has sought to erase a quarter of Harvard’s student body, international students who contribute significantly to the University and its mission,” Harvard said. “Without its international students, Harvard is not Harvard,” the 389-yearold school added. US District Judge Allison Burroughs, an appointee of Democratic President Barack Obama, issued the temporary restraining order freezing the policy. Trump’s pressure on Harvard is part of the Republican’s broader campaign to compel universities, law firms, news media, courts and other institutions that value independence from partisan politics to align with his agenda.
Deportation efforts
The campaign has included efforts to deport foreign students who participated in pro-Palestinian protests but committed no crimes, retaliate against law firms that employ lawyers who have challenged Trump, and a suggestion by Trump to impeach a judge for an immigration ruling the President didn’t like.
Harvard, based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, has pushed back hard against Trump, having previously sued to restore some $3 billion in federal grants that had been frozen or canceled.
Law firms, including WilmerHale and Susman Godfrey. have also sued, while US Chief Justice John Roberts said impeaching judges is not an appropriate response to disagreement with their rulings.
Some institutions have made concessions to Trump. Columbia University agreed to reform disciplinary processes and review curricula for courses on the Middle East, after Trump pulled $400 million in funding over allegations the Ivy League school had not done enough to combat anti-Semitism.
In a statement before Burroughs’ ruling, White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson dismissed the lawsuit. “If only Harvard cared this much about ending the scourge of antiAmerican, anti-Semitic, pro-terrorist agitators on their campus they wouldn’t be in this situation to begin with,” Jackson said.
Safe environment
“Harvard should spend their time and resources on creating a safe campus environment instead of filing frivolous lawsuits,” she added.
The termination of Harvard’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification, effective with the 2025- 2026 academic year, was announced by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
She said the termination was justified because of Harvard’s “fostering violence, anti-Semitism, and coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party.”
