‘Without its international students, Harvard is not Harvard’: University sues Trump admin over DHS ban

Despite this, the lawsuit states, DHS deemed the response “insufficient” on May 22 without citing specific failures or regulatory violations.

Harvard University has filed a fresh lawsuit against the Trump administration, escalating a growing confrontation over the government’s move to block the enrollment of international students at one of America’s most prestigious institutions.

Filed less than 24 hours after the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) revoked Harvard’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification, the lawsuit accuses the administration of retaliating against the university for exercising its First Amendment rights and interfering with its autonomy.

In a letter to the Harvard community, Provost Dr. Alan M. Garber denounced the DHS action as illegal and dangerous, warning of its sweeping implications.

“We condemn this unlawful and unwarranted action,” 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 who have come to America to pursue their education and fulfil their dreams.”

The DHS decision effectively halts Harvard’s ability to enroll international students, who comprise nearly 25 percent of its student body, and prompted the university to also seek a temporary restraining order to block the government’s action.

“With the stroke of a pen, the government has sought to erase a quarter of Harvard’s student body, international students who contribute significantly to the university and its mission,” the lawsuit says as cited by The New York Times. “Without its international students, Harvard is not Harvard.”

The administration’s move follows its April 16 demand for Harvard to provide detailed records of student protest activities over the past five years, including videos and disciplinary histories of international students. The university claims it submitted the requested information by April 30 and complied with subsequent requests, despite what it called the “unprecedented nature and scope” of the demand, which sought detailed data on roughly 7,000 international students.

Despite this, the lawsuit states, DHS deemed the response “insufficient” on May 22 without citing specific failures or regulatory violations, New York Times added.

Harvard argues that the government’s action is politically motivated and part of a broader campaign by the Trump administration to exert control over elite universities, particularly those perceived as left-leaning. The lawsuit, according to The New York Times, describes the move as “clear retaliation” for Harvard’s independent governance and academic freedoms.

The administration has publicly justified its aggressive posture toward Harvard and similar institutions as part of its effort to combat antisemitism and liberal bias on campuses. President Trump has frequently criticised the Ivy League, referring to its institutions as harbouring “Marxist maniacs.”

Harvard is currently facing at least eight federal investigations across six government agencies. Immigration authorities have also reportedly targeted pro-Palestinian student activists and revoked the legal status of hundreds of international students, contributing to heightened anxiety among foreign nationals studying in the U.S.

As the legal battle unfolds, the case is expected to be closely watched for its implications on academic freedom, immigration policy, and the rights of educational institutions.