Harvard Sues Trump Administration Over Foreign Student Ban

Harvard University has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration in federal court in Boston, challenging the government's decision to bar the university from enrolling foreign students. The lawsuit claims the action violates the First Amendment and would have an immediate and devastating impact on Harvard and more than 7,000 visa holders. Harvard argues the ban would effectively eliminate a quarter of its student body, significantly altering the university's composition and educational environment.

The Department of Homeland Security announced the action on Thursday, accusing Harvard of creating an unsafe campus environment by allegedly allowing antisemitic incidents and coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party. Secretary Kristi Noem stated Harvard could regain its ability to host foreign students by producing records of foreign students participating in protests or dangerous activities within 72 hours. The university has made changes to combat antisemitism but maintains it will not compromise on legally protected principles.

The impact of the ban would be particularly severe for Harvard's graduate schools, with the Kennedy School having almost half its student body from abroad and the Business School approximately one-third international. Harvard officials expressed concern that the ban would place the university at a competitive disadvantage in recruiting top global talent, as future applicants might avoid applying out of fear of further government actions. If the ban remains in place, Harvard claims it would be unable to admit new international students for at least two academic years.

Harvard enrolls nearly 6,800 foreign students from more than 100 countries, primarily at the graduate level. The university is seeking a temporary restraining order to block the Department of Homeland Security from implementing the ban. This legal challenge is separate from Harvard's earlier lawsuit contesting more than $2 billion in federal funding cuts imposed by the administration.

The dispute occurs in the context of broader tensions between the Trump administration and higher education institutions. Harvard President Alan Garber previously stated the university has implemented governance changes over the past year and a half, including strategies to address antisemitism concerns. The university has indicated it will respond separately to allegations raised by House Republicans regarding alleged coordination with the Chinese Communist Party.