A US judge on Friday blocked the Trump administration’s attempt to revoke Harvard University’s authorization to enroll international students, following a lawsuit filed by Harvard in federal court in Boston. The university described the revocation as a “blatant violation” of the US Constitution and other federal laws.
“With the stroke of a pen, the government has sought to erase a quarter of Harvard’s student body, international students who contribute significantly to the University and its mission,” Harvard asserted in its complaint, Hindustan Times reported.
Earlier on Friday, Harvard University released a statement titled “Supporting Our International Students and Scholars”, stating: “We condemn this unlawful and unwarranted action. It imperils the futures of thousands of students and scholars across Harvard and serves as a warning to countless others at colleges and universities throughout the country who have come to America to pursue their education and fulfill their dreams.”
On May 22, the Donald Trump-led U.S. administration revoked Harvard University’s certification under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), effectively preventing the institution from enrolling new international students as a result of the latest action taken by Washington.
US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem announced the decision on Thursday and said, “Let this serve as a warning to all universities and academic institutions across the country,”
“Enrolling international students is a privilege — not a right — and that privilege has been revoked due to Harvard’s repeated failure to comply with federal law,” she added.
Meanwhile, in April, President Trump had called Harvard a “joke” and said it should lose its government research contracts after the prestigious university refused demands that it accept outside political supervision.
“Harvard can no longer be considered even a decent place of learning, and should not be considered on any list of the World’s Great Universities or Colleges,” Trump said on his Truth Social platform.
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