A U.S. District Judge has intervened to block the Trump administration’s attempt to revoke Harvard University’s ability to enroll international students. This decision highlights the ongoing tension between academic freedom and the federal government’s policies under President Donald Trump.
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Judge Allison Burroughs’ recent ruling offers temporary relief to the many international students facing the daunting prospect of having to transfer. The Ivy League institution argued that this action was part of a broader campaign by the administration aimed at retaliating against Harvard for choosing to maintain its academic independence. As stated by the university, “Without its international students, Harvard is not Harvard.”
Harvard currently boasts an impressive enrollment of nearly 6,800 international students, making up 27% of its total student body. The Department of Homeland Security has announced plans to terminate the university’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification, which would take effect in the 2025-2026 academic year under Secretary Kristi Noem.
In her brief order, Judge Burroughs noted that Harvard demonstrated the likelihood of suffering harm before the court had a chance to hear the case in full. Following her preliminary ruling, hearings have been scheduled for May 27 and 29 to discuss the next steps in this matter.
President Trump’s pressure on Harvard reflects a broader strategy aimed at compelling various institutions—including universities, law firms, and the media—to align with his political agenda. Recent actions have also included attempts to deport international students engaged in protests and efforts to retaliate against law firms that oppose him.
While some institutions have yielded to Trump’s demands, others continue to firmly resist. For instance, Columbia University agreed to reform certain disciplinary processes after facing the threat of losing $400 million in funding over allegations of insufficient action against antisemitism.
Before Judge Burroughs’ decision, White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson criticized the lawsuit, suggesting, “If only Harvard cared this much about ending the scourge of anti-American, anti-Semitic, pro-terrorist agitators on their campus they wouldn’t be in this situation to begin with.” She further urged Harvard to focus on creating a safe campus environment instead of pursuing legal battles.
This ongoing conflict encapsulates the larger issues surrounding academic independence and the intersection of education and politics in today’s climate.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring.
