Harvard sues Trump administration over international student enrollment ban
Harvard University files a lawsuit to challenge the Trump administration's ban on enrolling international students, citing constitutional violations and retaliation for campus policies.
On May 22, Kristi Noem, Secretary of Homeland Security, announced on social media the administration's decision to revoke Harvard's certification to enroll international students under the F-1 visa program.
The ban would affect over 7000 current international students, which may be forced to transfer universities or leave the country; in addition to the possible new enrollments for the upcoming academic year. That is why the university filed a lawsuit seeking to reverse the ban.
DHS accuses Harvard of unsafe campus environment
According to the Department of Homeland Security, led by Kristi Noem, they were forced to this drastic action due to Harvard "permitting anti-American, pro-terrorist agitators”. The DHS states the university's Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification was lost due to the Ivy League school’s leadership. The announcement came just a few days before graduation.
Kristi Noem on Harvard's enrollment of foreign students. Photo: @Sec_Noem/X
Noem, in her social media post, accuses Harvard of "coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party" and "fostering antisemitism".
Harvard claims visa ban violates constitutional rights and is retaliation
Harvard stated in the lawsuit that the certification is of upmost importance for the international student body who "lawfully remain in the country while they complete coursework, obtain degrees, and continue critical research.” The university also added that this decision is a blatant violation of the First Amendment and act of retaliation.
Everything started when on April 16, Noem sent a letter to Harvard's International Office demanding information about each student visa holder within 10 business days, accusing them of "failing to condemn anti-Semitism". The university complied and even provided additional information on May 14.
However, the DHS deemed their response "insufficient" without giving them any reason why, and revoked Harvard’s SEVP certification ‘effective immediately,’ the complaint said.
