May 24, 2025
2 mins read

Harvard sues Trump over foreign students ban

Harvard University has filed a federal lawsuit against the Trump administration after being barred from enrolling international students, marking its second legal challenge in a month against what it describes as politically motivated retaliation.

The move follows an announcement by US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who said on Thursday that Harvard had lost the privilege to host foreign students, citing non-compliance with federal laws and “repeated failure” to enact reforms demanded by the government.

In a sharply worded letter to the Harvard community, University President Alan Garber denounced the revocation as “unlawful and unwarranted,” accusing the Trump administration of undermining academic freedom and targeting the institution for its refusal to “surrender our academic independence.”

“The revocation continues a series of government actions to retaliate against Harvard,” Garber wrote. “It imperils the futures of thousands of students and scholars across Harvard and serves as a warning to countless others at colleges and universities throughout the country.”

Harvard confirmed that it had already filed a formal complaint in court and would soon seek a temporary restraining order to block the enforcement of the ban. “We will do everything in our power to support our students and scholars,” Garber added.

Secretary Noem, announcing the ban, warned other institutions that “enrolling international students is a privilege — not a right — and that privilege has been revoked.” In addition to halting new enrollments, current international students at Harvard must transfer or face deportation, she said.

The latest clash is rooted in an escalating feud between the Ivy League university and the Trump administration, which has accused Harvard of harbouring antisemitism and promoting race-based admissions under the guise of diversity initiatives.

In April, the administration demanded that Harvard undertake sweeping governance and policy reforms, including dismantling its diversity programmes and altering its admissions and hiring practices. Harvard rejected the demands outright on April 14.

Shortly after the university’s defiance, the administration froze $2.2 billion in grants and $60 million in federal contracts, prompting Harvard to sue, calling the funding halt “unlawful and beyond the government’s authority.”

Further tensions arose when Homeland Security issued an ultimatum on April 16, instructing Harvard to provide data on alleged illegal or violent activities by international students by the end of the month. Harvard did not comply.

According to the university’s fall 2023 figures, international students represent over 27% of the total student body, making the new enrolment ban a significant blow to its academic and cultural makeup.

Legal experts anticipate a heated courtroom battle, as the case may set precedent on the federal government’s control over university policies, student rights, and academic freedom.

Previous Story

Pakistan may face stricter IMF terms

Next Story

Russia and Ukraine swap hundreds more prisoners

Latest from -Top News

Industry Hails India-UK FTA

£34 billion boost, sweeping tariff cuts and market access mark UK’s most ambitious post-Brexit trade pact; Indian sectors set for exports surge…reports Asian Lite News Business leaders from both India and the

India, UK Sign Landmark FTA

The pact is set to make imported goods like Scotch whisky, gin, luxury cars, cosmetics, and medical devices more affordable for Indian consumers….reports Asian Lite News In a landmark moment for India-UK

Farmers Win Big in India-UK FTA

There is a massive gain for rural India and exporters with zero duty on processed foods compared with up to 70 per cent earlier….reports Asian Lite News The India-UK Free Trade Agreement

Modi-Starmer Meet Ahead of FTA Signing

During the discussions, the two sides will also review the progress of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP)…reports Asian Lite News Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday called on Keir Starmer at the

Hindu Temple Vandalised in Melbourne

Confirming the incident, Victoria Police mentioned they are investigating “four linked incidents in Boronia,” including the temple and two restaurants….reports Asian Lite News In a deeply disturbing incident of racial violence, a
Go toTop