Harvard Sues Trump Administration Over Ban on International Student Enrollment

In a high-stakes legal move, Harvard University is suing the Trump administration after being abruptly stripped of its ability to enroll international students—putting nearly 7,000 scholars in limbo and igniting a fresh legal battle over academic freedom and immigration policy.

A Stunning Federal Revocation

On Thursday, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) notified Harvard it was no longer certified under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), a status required to host international students. The move came with immediate consequences: incoming students may not enter the country, and current students on F-1 or J-1 visas must transfer or risk deportation.

“This action threatens to erase nearly a third of our student body,” Harvard said in its lawsuit, calling the decision retaliatory and unlawful.

Harvard Pushes Back in Court

Harvard filed suit Friday against DHS, the Departments of Justice and State, and key Trump officials including DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and Attorney General Pam Bondi. The university seeks an emergency court order to block the policy, arguing the administration is punishing it for exercising First Amendment rights and resisting federal overreach into campus governance and ideology.

“This is part of a broader campaign to force Harvard to abandon its values,” the complaint reads.

President Alan Garber assured international students they are not alone:
“You are our classmates, our mentors, our partners. We will fight for you and for the integrity of Harvard.”

Political Ideology vs. Academic Independence

The administration’s actions appear rooted in broader ideological battles. Officials have accused Harvard and other universities of harboring anti-American sentiment and promoting pro-Hamas and antisemitic ideologies—claims the university strongly denies.

DHS Secretary Noem justified the decertification by citing Harvard’s “insufficient” compliance with a request for foreign student conduct records. Harvard contends it submitted the documents and received no explanation for their alleged inadequacy.

Harvard now faces a 72-hour deadline to provide five years of additional records or risk permanent decertification—demands the university argues lack any legal basis.

Financial and Academic Fallout

The revocation adds to a mounting list of federal pressure tactics. Harvard is already in court challenging a $2.65 billion freeze in federal research funding. The IRS is also reportedly reviewing the university’s tax-exempt status.

University officials warn that banning foreign students will deal a severe blow to research labs, academic programs, and innovation pipelines.

“This could devastate not just Harvard but American higher education as a whole,” said economist and former Obama advisor Jason Furman. “International students are a core strength of our universities—and of U.S. global influence.”

Students in Shock, Uncertain About the Future

International students are grappling with fear and uncertainty. For Jared, an 18-year-old admitted student from New Zealand, the news was crushing.

“It felt like my heart dropped,” he said. “This was a dream. Now everything is up in the air.”

Others worry about losing their visas, transferring schools, or missing out on the financial aid and opportunities Harvard offers.

Karl Molden, an Austrian junior, said students feel caught in a political crossfire.
“We’re being used as pawns in a bigger fight between democracy and authoritarianism.”

Backlash From Faculty and Global Leaders

Harvard faculty members and academic groups have fiercely condemned the move.

“It’s horrendous on every level,” said Furman. “This isn’t about security—it’s about ideology.”

The American Association of University Professors called the administration’s actions “an unconstitutional assault” on the international academic community. Australia’s ambassador to the U.S. has also stepped in, offering support to affected students.

Broader Crackdown on Higher Education

Harvard’s clash with the Trump administration is not an isolated incident. The White House has demanded sweeping changes from multiple universities—including purging diversity initiatives, auditing faculty viewpoints, and cracking down on campus protests, especially related to the Israel-Hamas war.

While Harvard has acknowledged instances of antisemitism and pledged reforms, university leaders argue the government’s demands cross legal and ethical lines.

“This is not about safety or compliance,” said one Harvard professor. “It’s about political control.”

A Defining Moment

As the legal battle unfolds, Harvard remains defiant—and resolute.

“We are committed to protecting our international students and the values that define us,” said spokesperson Jason Newton. “This is about more than policy—it’s about who we are as a university and as a country.”

Source: CNN – Harvard sues Trump administration to halt federal ban on enrolling international students