Harvard University has filed a federal lawsuit against the Trump administration in response to a sweeping decision that revoked the university’s ability to enrol international students under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). The lawsuit, filed in Boston federal court, marks a dramatic escalation in the growing tensions between elite academic institutions and the administration’s immigration and education policies.
Core Allegations by Harvard:
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The revocation is described as a “blatant violation of the U.S. Constitution and federal laws”.
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Harvard argues that the move has an “immediate and devastating effect” on more than 7,000 international students, who form about 25% of its student body.
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The university's complaint emphasizes the critical academic and cultural role of international students and calls the administration’s decision an attempt to “erase” their presence.
University Statement:
In a strong message to the Harvard community, the university condemned the government’s action as:
“Unlawful and unwarranted... It imperils the futures of thousands of students and scholars across Harvard and serves as a warning to countless others.”
Harvard also expressed intent to seek a temporary restraining order to halt the policy and vowed to "do everything" to support affected students and faculty.
Homeland Security’s Justification:
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), led by Secretary Kristi Noem, alleged that:
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Harvard had engaged in “fostering violence, antisemitism, and coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party”.
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Revocation of SEVP certification was justified on grounds that hosting international students is a “privilege, not a right”.
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The university had ignored chances to “do the right thing,” and instead used international students to “pad their multibillion-dollar endowments.”
These accusations are highly charged and politically loaded, especially the claims linking Harvard to foreign political coordination, which Harvard has not publicly addressed.
Broader Context:
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This is Harvard’s second lawsuit against the Trump administration in recent weeks. An earlier lawsuit challenged federal interference in curriculum, admissions, and hiring policies.
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The lawsuit follows an April 16 demand from DHS requesting data on foreign students, including their protest participation and disciplinary records. While Harvard confirmed submitting some data, it withheld details, citing privacy and legal concerns.
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The administration had threatened to revoke SEVP certification if Harvard failed to comply fully.
Implications:
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The lawsuit could set a national precedent for how far federal agencies can go in regulating universities' ability to host international students.
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If upheld, the revocation could disrupt thousands of academic careers, isolate U.S. higher education globally, and strain U.S. diplomatic and academic relations.
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It may also lead other top-tier institutions to join Harvard's legal battle, especially those with large international student populations.
What’s Next:
Harvard is seeking an emergency injunction to stop the enforcement of the decision. If granted, it would temporarily restore international student enrolment rights while the legal case proceeds. Given the stakes, the matter may quickly reach higher courts, possibly the Supreme Court, depending on how lower courts rule.
This case is poised to become a major flashpoint in the national debate over immigration, education policy, and academic freedom during the 2024 presidential campaign.
