A Court in the US has issued a temporary restraining order halting the Trump administration’s decision to revoke Harvard University’s ability to enroll international students. The move came just hours after Harvard filed a lawsuit challenging the administration’s abrupt action, which the university described as unconstitutional retaliation for resisting political demands.
The Department of Homeland Security had announced the revocation of Harvard’s certification in the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), effectively barring the institution from hosting foreign students. This action threatened the status of approximately 7,000 international students currently enrolled at Harvard, compelling them to transfer or risk losing their visa status.
Harvard’s lawsuit contends that the administration’s decision violates the First Amendment and due process rights, alleging it was a punitive measure for the university’s refusal to align with certain governmental ideologies. The university emphasized the integral role international students play in its academic community, stating that without them, “Harvard is not Harvard.”
Judge Allison Burroughs’ order preserves the current state of affairs pending further legal proceedings, with a hearing scheduled to determine whether a preliminary injunction should be granted. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for higher education institutions across the United States, particularly regarding the enrollment and treatment of international students.
