US Judge Temporarily Blocks Trump's Proclamation on International Students
A U.S. district court has temporarily halted a proclamation by President Donald Trump that sought to bar international students from studying at Harvard University. The injunction was issued by Judge Allison Burroughs of Boston, who recognized that the university would suffer immediate and irreparable harm if the proclamation were enforced before a full legal review.
Harvard Challenges the Administration’s Measures
Harvard University filed a legal petition arguing that the administration's directive constitutes unlawful retaliation against the institution for opposing White House mandates. According to Harvard’s president, Alan M. Garber, the proclamation attempts to bypass a previous court order that protected the university's Student Exchange Visa Program (SEVP) certification.
In a letter to the university community, Garber stated: "Singling out our institution for its enrollment of international students and its collaborations with other educational institutions worldwide is yet another illegal retaliation by the administration against Harvard."
Context Behind the Ongoing Legal Dispute
The conflict escalated after Harvard refused to comply with federal demands for records concerning misconduct allegations involving foreign students. Prior to this, the Trump administration had already frozen over $2.2 billion in funding and cut $450 million in grants to Harvard.
Following the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, President Trump also criticized Harvard for what he described as insufficient protection of Jewish students. Harvard has responded by expanding its legal challenge, disputing the suspension of federal funds and opposing what it considers unconstitutional interference affecting its institutional autonomy.
Significance of International Students to Harvard
International students make up approximately 25% of Harvard’s student body, contributing substantially to the university’s academic excellence and research initiatives. The proclamation threatened to disrupt this significant portion of Harvard’s community, impacting both educational and research activities.
Next Steps in the Legal Battle
The university has submitted an amended legal filing requesting the court to immediately block enforcement of the proclamation. Harvard hopes for a swift judicial response to prevent further damage to its operations.
This legal battle illustrates ongoing tensions between educational institutions and federal authorities over immigration policies and institutional governance, with broader implications for international education across the United States.
