Trump's Harvard Crackdown Halted A Win for International Students!

Federal Judge Extends Order Shielding Harvard's International Student Enrollment

In a significant development, a federal judge has prolonged a temporary restraining order, effectively preventing the Trump administration from revoking Harvard University's authority to enroll international students. The decision offers a reprieve to the prestigious institution and its sizable international student population.

The extension follows the Trump administration's indication that it would grant Harvard 30 days to contest the revocation, as outlined in a court filing submitted on Wednesday night. This move suggests a potential willingness on the administration's part to engage in a more deliberative process.

According to court documents, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is requesting Harvard to provide "sworn statements and documentary or other evidence to rebut the grounds for withdrawal of certification" under the federal Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). This program is crucial for allowing Harvard to welcome students from across the globe.

The DHS specifically wants information on:

• Misconduct records of international students.
• Evidence that the university maintains "a campus environment free from violence and antisemitism."

The initial revocation attempt occurred last week, but U.S. District Judge Allison D. Burroughs swiftly intervened, temporarily blocking the administration's action. Judge Burroughs has now decided to maintain the temporary order until a preliminary injunction can be issued. However, no specific date or timeline has been set for when this formal injunction might be granted.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem took to X (formerly Twitter) to express her views on the matter, stating, "Harvard’s refusal to comply with SEVP oversight was the latest evidence that it disdains the American people and takes for granted U.S. taxpayer benefits... We continue to reject Harvard’s repeated pattern of endangering its students and spreading American hate — it must change its ways in order to participate in American programs."

The judge's decision coincided with Harvard's 347th graduation ceremony, adding a layer of significance to the day.

A successful revocation of Harvard's SEVP certification would have drastic consequences for its international students, who comprise roughly one-fourth of the student body. These students would face the possibility of losing their ability to remain in the United States unless they transfer to another approved institution.

The legal battle over international student enrollment is not the only front on which Harvard and the Trump administration are clashing. The university is also contesting the administration's decision to strip it of $2 billion in federal research grants. Trump even suggested redirecting $3 billion in grant money from Harvard to trade schools.

Harvard President Alan Garber, however, emphasized the importance of federal investment in research, regardless of where the funds are ultimately allocated. "What the real question is, how much value does the federal government get from its expenditures on research?" he stated in an interview.

These confrontations arose shortly after Harvard declined to meet a series of broad demands from the Trump administration’s Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism, including government oversight of admissions, hiring, and faculty audits.

The broader context involves the Trump administration's efforts to shape access to higher education in the United States. This includes suspending new visa interviews for international students and broadening social media screening for visa applicants.

The ongoing legal saga between Harvard and the Trump administration highlights the complexities and challenges surrounding international education, research funding, and government oversight in higher education. The judge’s decision buys time for Harvard, but the underlying issues remain unresolved, suggesting further legal and political maneuvering is likely in the days and weeks to come. The outcome of these battles will undoubtedly have a lasting impact on the landscape of higher education in the U.S.

Source: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/judge-extends-order-blocking-trump-administration-revoking-harvards-ab-rcna209689