Harvard University has filed a federal lawsuit against the Trump administration following the Department of Homeland Security’s abrupt decision to revoke the university’s certification under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), effectively barring it from enrolling international students. The complaint was filed on Friday in a federal court in Boston.
The university argues that the government’s move is a "flagrant infringement" of the First Amendment, the Due Process Clause, and the Administrative Procedure Act. Harvard emphasizes that this sudden revocation has caused an “immediate and catastrophic impact” on the institution and more than 7,000 international visa holders currently enrolled at the Ivy League school.
Harvard President Alan Garber condemned the action as unlawful and unwarranted, warning that it jeopardizes the futures of thousands of students and scholars, and sends a chilling message to other colleges and universities across the United States. Approximately 27% of Harvard’s student body comprises international students, many of whom contribute significantly to the university’s academic and research missions.
The Trump administration’s decision followed a comprehensive records request from the Department of Homeland Security, which the government claims Harvard has not fully complied with. The administration has also accused Harvard of failing to address antisemitism adequately amid recent campus protests and alleged coordination with foreign entities.
The lawsuit seeks to restore Harvard’s SEVP certification and prevent the government from enforcing the enrollment ban. Harvard plans to pursue a temporary restraining order to protect its international students and maintain its ability to issue student visas for upcoming academic terms.
This legal action marks a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between Harvard and the Trump administration, which has also suspended billions in federal funding to the university in recent weeks.
Sources: CBC, Politico, Washington Post, Reuters, Bloomberg, CBS News
