Harvard University, known for its prestigious Ivy League status, is pretty ticked off at the Trump administration. They’re taking legal action against the decision to ban foreign students from enrolling at the school, calling it a big ol’ unconstitutional retaliation. The school filed a lawsuit in federal court in Boston, claiming that the move violates the First Amendment and will have a major impact on Harvard and over 7,000 visa holders. The government’s decision, according to Harvard, would basically be erasing a quarter of the student population, which includes international students who bring a lot to the table.
A federal judge in Boston stopped the Trump administration from enforcing the ban on Harvard’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program. This means that international students can continue studying at Harvard for now, but a hearing is scheduled for Tuesday to dig deeper into the matter. The lawsuit filed by Harvard highlights the chaos the government’s actions have caused on campus, especially right before graduation. International students who play important roles in labs, courses, professor assistance, and sports are now left in a tough spot – either transfer or risk losing their legal status in the U.S.
The impact is especially hard-hitting on Harvard’s graduate schools, like the Harvard Kennedy School and Harvard Business School, where a significant portion of the student body is international. The ban not only affects current students but also blocks thousands of others who were planning to start classes in the summer and fall. The move by the government has sparked concerns about overreach, with some questioning the motives behind targeting Harvard in this way. It’s got people wondering what the Trump administration’s next steps might be and how the rest of the world is perceiving all of this drama.
Harvard is not too pleased about the whole situation, stating that it puts the school at a disadvantage when it comes to attracting top talent from around the globe. Even if the ban is lifted, Harvard fears that future applicants might be scared off from applying due to potential backlash from the government. If the government’s actions stick, Harvard won’t be able to admit new international students for at least the next couple of academic years. This is a major blow, considering Harvard currently enrolls nearly 6,800 foreign students from over 100 countries. The Department of Homeland Security’s termination of Harvard’s certification is causing a lot of stress for international students who are now left with limited options.
