Trump administration reconsiders stance on Harvard international student policy
Federal Judge Halts Trump Admin's Move to Revoke Harvard's Ability to Enroll International Students
In a significant development, a federal judge in Boston issued a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) on Thursday, preventing the Trump administration from revoking Harvard University's Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification, which would have impeded the school's capacity to enroll foreign students.
The TRO was issued after Harvard filed a lawsuit against the administration, alleging that the revocation was unlawful and an act of retaliation for exercising its First Amendment rights. The Trump administration had asserted that the revocation was necessary due to Harvard's failure to provide information about international students as requested.
Acting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Director issued a notice last week, giving Harvard 30 days to challenge the administration's intention to revoke its SEVP certification. However, following the TRO, the school can continue to enroll international students without disruption.
The judge's decision to issue the TRO is seen as a temporary reprieve for the over 6,800 international students currently enrolled at Harvard. The status quo will remain in effect until a full hearing of the case, at which time the judge might re-evaluate the necessity of the TRO.
The administration's attempts to freeze additional funds worth over $2.2 billion in grants and $60 million in contracts to Harvard are currently being contested in a separate lawsuit filed by the university in April. The next hearing in this case is scheduled for July.
Recent months have seen escalating pressure from the Trump administration on Harvard, with threats to revoke the school's tax-exempt status, cancel contracts with the institution, and cap the number of international students to 15% of the student body.
The Trump administration's actions have been criticized as an attempt to coerce Harvard into surrendering its academic independence and constitutional rights. Harvard has argued that the revocation of SEVP certification, if implemented, would violate its free speech rights, defy the administrative procedure act, and overlook due process protections.
As the legal battle progresses, the fate of Harvard's international students remains uncertain. However, for now, they can continue their education at the renowned institution without disruption. Updates on the case will be provided as they become available.
The federal judge's decision to issue a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) on the Trump administration's revocation of Harvard's Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification marks a temporary respite for the over 6,800 international students currently enrolled at Harvard. This development is part of the ongoing legal battle between Harvard and the administration, as the university is also contesting the administration's attempts to freeze funds and cap the number of international students. The uncertain fate of these students is a subject of international general news, with many seeing the administration's actions as an attempt to coerce Harvard into surrendering its academic independence and constitutional rights, and potentially violating free speech rights, defying the administrative procedure act, and overlooking due process protections. The ongoing struggle in education-and-self-development and politics also raises questions about the administration's stance on international immigration and justice.
