Foreign students potentially still welcome at Harvard amid controversy over U.S. immigration policies during graduation event. - Foreign students can temporarily remain in America, facing criticism from former president Trump during Harvard's graduation ceremony.
Harvard Wins Temporary Reprieve from Federal Judge on International Student Ban
In a significant development, Harvard University has been granted a temporary reprieve from the Trump administration's order to cease admitting foreign students. Federal Judge Allison Burroughs, appointed by President Barack Obama, has temporarily halted this ban following arguments from Harvard's lawyers and government representatives.
The administration's directive would have affected 27% of Harvard's student body, primarily composed of students from Asia, with 549 students from Germany currently enrolled. The case is far from settled, with a final decision yet to be reached.
During this contentious period with President Trump, Harvard celebrated its graduates this year. Speaking at the commencement ceremony in Cambridge, west of Boston, Harvard President Alan Garber applauded the numerous international graduates. Dr. Abraham Verghese, the Stanford University professor of medicine, served as the commencement speaker. Born in Ethiopia, Verghese expressed his appreciation for the opportunities America offers to immigrants like himself.
However, Verghese also voiced concerns over the precarious situation faced by international students. He warned of the potential for wrongful detention and deportation. This sentiment was strengthened with a reference to the military coup in his native Ethiopia in 1974, which led to the closure of his university following the junta's wave of attacks on institutions promoting truth and reason.
President Trump has targeted Harvard for weeks, labeling the elite university as an "anti-Semitic, left-wing institution." This accusation follows pro-Palestinian demonstrations on campus since the beginning of the Gaza war on October 7, 2023. As a response, the U.S. government has cut federal funding for Harvard, with plans to further reduce all remaining federal funds. Harvard has refused to abolish diversity programs and comply with government demands to scrutinize its students, prompting a refusal of federal funds. President Garber did acknowledge some instances of anti-Semitic behavior.
The Department of Homeland Security, led by Secretary Kristi Noem, revoked Harvard's Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification, effectively barring the university from hosting nonimmigrant international students or scholars on F- or J-visas for the 2025-26 academic year. The situation remains unresolved, with Harvard arguing that the government's actions are arbitrary and unconstitutional.
- The politics surrounding Harvard University intensified as President Trump continued to label the elite university, located in Boston, Massachusetts, an "anti-Semitic, left-wing institution," citing pro-Palestinian demonstrations on campus.
- In response to the temporary reprieve granted to Harvard by Judge Allison Burroughs, General News outlets have been discussing how this education-and-self-development matter could influence the international student community, particularly those at elite universities across America.
