WASHINGTON: Harvard University files a lawsuit against the Trump administration on Friday, challenging the federal government’s decision to revoke its certification under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP).
The revocation would prevent the Ivy League institution from enrolling international students, a move Harvard claims is unconstitutional and illegal under federal law. The university emphasized that this decision would have an “immediate and devastating effect” on its community, especially the more than 7,000 international students currently enrolled, who make up 27% of the student body.
In its complaint filed in federal court in Boston, Harvard described the action as an attempt to erase a quarter of its student population “with the stroke of a pen.” The university stressed the vital role international students play in its academic mission, asserting that “without its international students, Harvard is not Harvard.” Harvard is seeking an injunction from U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs to block the government’s decision, arguing that the administration’s move is causing “immediate and irreparable harm.”
A spokesperson for the White House, Abigail Jackson, dismissed Harvard’s legal efforts, criticizing the university for what she described as misplaced priorities. Jackson stated that instead of pursuing what she called “frivolous lawsuits,” Harvard should focus on addressing what she alleged to be “anti-American, anti-Semitic, pro-terrorist agitators” on its campus. She added that a safer campus environment should take precedence over legal battles.
The decision to revoke Harvard’s SEVP certification, which is set to take effect for the 2025–2026 academic year, was announced by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. Noem justified the revocation by accusing the university of promoting violence and antisemitism and of maintaining ties with the Chinese Communist Party. This followed an April 16 letter from Noem to Harvard demanding a large volume of information about international students, citing concerns about a “hostile learning environment for Jewish students” due to the university’s response to campus antisemitism.
In a strongly worded letter to the Harvard community, university president Alan Garber condemned the administration’s actions, describing them as part of a broader effort to punish Harvard for resisting government interference in its academic affairs. He argued that the revocation was retaliation for Harvard’s refusal to relinquish control over its curriculum, faculty, and admissions. According to the lawsuit, the loss of SEVP certification would force Harvard to rescind thousands of admissions offers and disrupt numerous academic programs, research labs, and clinics, with the timing particularly damaging given the proximity to graduation.
The university also revealed that Noem gave it 72 hours to comply with demands for detailed records on international students, including video and audio evidence of protest activity over the past five years, as a condition for reinstating its certification. This lawsuit marks a significant escalation in tensions between the Trump administration and higher education institutions, drawing national attention and support from academic and civil rights communities.
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