Harvard University has filed a federal lawsuit against the Trump administration after the
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) abruptly revoked the institution’s ability to enroll
international students. The decision, which Harvard calls “unjust and unlawful,
” has sparked
widespread concern over academic freedom, immigration policy, and the future of global
education in the United States.
The DHS directive, issued with only 72 hours’ notice, stripped Harvard of its certification
under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), effectively barring the institution
from accepting new international students. The agency cited allegations of antisemitism on
campus and the presence of “anti-American, pro-terrorist agitators” among foreign students
as justification for the move.
In its lawsuit, Harvard argues that the revocation lacks legal grounds and violates both
constitutional protections and due process. The university emphasized that it had complied
with all federal requests for student information and criticized the government’s actions as
politically motivated and harmful to its diverse academic community.
Currently, international students make up over 25% of Harvard’s student
body—approximately 7,000 individuals—many of whom now face uncertainty about their
academic futures.
On May 23, a federal judge in Massachusetts issued a temporary restraining order against
the DHS decision, allowing Harvard to continue enrolling international students while the
case proceeds. The ruling was met with relief from affected students and faculty but drew
sharp criticism from the White House. A spokesperson for President Trump claimed the
judiciary was interfering with the administration’s authority over national security and
immigration.
The lawsuit has also triggered diplomatic tension, particularly with China, home to the largest
population of Harvard’s international students. Chinese officials condemned the U.S.
government’s actions, warning that such moves undermine international cooperation in
education.
Global academic institutions, including the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology,
have offered to accommodate displaced students, while many scholars and prospective
applicants reconsider studying in the U.S. altogether.
As the legal battle unfolds, Harvard and other leading universities watch closely. The case
could have far-reaching implications for the U.S. higher education system’s ability to attract
and retain global talent in the face of increasingly restrictive federal policies.
