2025-05-23T12:51:40Z

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In a significant escalation of tensions between President Donald Trump and Harvard University, the institution has decided to take legal action against the U.S. administration following its controversial decision to revoke Harvard's eligibility to enroll international students. The university filed a lawsuit on Friday, claiming this decision is both unlawful and detrimental to thousands of students who depend on the institution for their education.

In a strong statement, Harvard President Dr. Alan M. Garber expressed deep concern regarding the implications of this government's decision. He described it as an "unlawful and unwarranted action" that threatens not only the futures of students and scholars at Harvard but also sends a warning to many others studying across the United States. "We condemn this unlawful and unwarranted action. 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," Mr. Garber stated.

To address this situation, Harvard has officially filed a complaint and is seeking a temporary restraining order to prevent the enforcement of the government’s decision while the legal process unfolds. Mr. Garber assured the university community that they will do everything possible to support their international students and scholars during this challenging period. The Harvard International Office has committed to providing regular updates to the community as the situation develops.

This legal battle comes just hours after the Trump administration revoked Harvard's right to enroll foreign nationals based on the federal government's Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). According to Harvard's reports, more than 6,000 international students were enrolled for the 2024-2025 academic year, making up approximately 27.3% of the total student body.

The Trump administration has previously accused Harvard of fostering an environment that allegedly promotes violence and antisemitism while also claiming the university has been collaborating with the Chinese Communist Party. As stated by Secretary Kristi Noem, this administration believes that the enrollment of foreign students is a privilege, not a right, especially considering the significant tuition fees these students contribute to their institutions.

In a related context, President Trump had hinted at such measures last month, suggesting that if Harvard did not comply with government demands regarding oversight of its operations, the university could face serious consequences. The government indicated that the revocation could be lifted if Harvard met specific conditions set forth by the administration within a short timeframe of 72 hours.

Critically, the U.S. government claims that its action is based on allegations that Harvard failed to comply with information requests from the Department of Homeland Security. However, Mr. Garber countered this assertion, affirming that Harvard had responded to all requests as mandated by federal law.

This recent legal challenge is not an isolated incident; Harvard has previously clashed with the Trump administration over various issues. In April, the university contested the administration's decision to freeze $2.3 billion in federal funding, reiterating its commitment to maintaining its independence and constitutional rights.

In its lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for Massachusetts, Harvard emphasized its long-standing history of participating in the F-1 visa program, which enables international students to study in the United States. The university has maintained this certification for over 70 years. The sudden withdrawal of this eligibility was deemed a "blatant violation" of the First Amendment, the Due Process Clause, and the Administrative Procedure Act by the institution.

Harvard further argued that this revocation represents a retaliatory measure by the government against the university for asserting its First Amendment rights. The university claims the administration is attempting to control its governance, curriculum, and the ideological beliefs of its faculty and students.

In summary, the latest actions taken by the Trump administration have prompted Harvard to assert that the government is attempting to erase a crucial segment of its student body, namely the international students who play a vital role in the university's community and mission. Earlier in the day, Harvard reiterated that the government's move could lead to "serious harm" to the institution, highlighting the stakes involved in this ongoing conflict.