President Donald Trump had earlier moved to ban foreign students from entering the US to attend Harvard University, citing national security concerns. The move was seen as part of a broader political conflict with the Ivy League institution, which had resisted various federal demands under his administration.
Court Intervention
On Monday, US District Judge Allison Burroughs in Boston extended a temporary restraining order on Trump’s proclamation until June 23, while she considers Harvard’s request for a preliminary injunction. This follows an earlier restraining order granted on June 5, which was initially set to expire on Thursday.
Harvard’s Legal Stand
During the court hearing, Harvard’s lawyer Ian Gershengorn argued that the Trump administration had exceeded its authority and was using international students as pawns. Gershengorn accused the administration of retaliation against Harvard for not complying with conservative-driven federal directives.
Previous Government Actions
The conflict escalated in April when Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem demanded records from Harvard regarding foreign students’ activities. Dissatisfied with the response, the Department of Homeland Security revoked Harvard’s certification under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program on May 22.
This action severely impacted Harvard’s ability to attract international students, prompting the university to file a lawsuit, stating:
“Without its international students, Harvard is not Harvard.”
Impact on Students and Global Reputation
The revocation had significant implications for graduate programs that rely heavily on foreign students. In response, international institutions, including universities in Hong Kong, extended invitations to affected students.
Harvard has stated that while it has made efforts to combat antisemitism, it will not compromise on its “core, legally-protected principles” in the face of federal pressure.