Harvard University decided to throw down the gauntlet and sue the Trump administration after the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) dropped a bombshell by announcing a ban on international students enrolling at the prestigious institution. This clash has set the stage for a high-stakes battle between America’s oldest and wealthiest university and the one and only Donald Trump. Back in April, Harvard gave the White House the cold shoulder by rejecting a laundry list of demands. The lawsuit filed by Harvard calls out the administration for a “blatant violation” of the US constitution, warning of dire consequences for the university and over 7,000 visa holders.
A federal judge in Boston swooped in just in the nick of time to put a temporary freeze on the government’s action, buying Harvard some breathing room as the legal drama unfolds. The lawsuit, spanning a whopping 72 pages, lays out some key points that Harvard is itching to drive home. First off, Harvard claims that the Trump administration’s move is a direct violation of constitutional rights. According to the lawsuit, the revocation of Harvard’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification by the government tramples all over the first amendment, infringing on the university’s cherished academic freedom. Harvard argues that colleges and universities have a constitutional right to manage their academic affairs without Uncle Sam poking his nose in. The government’s failure to give proper notice, disclose evidence, and provide a fair opportunity for Harvard to respond also rubs the university the wrong way, leading to what Harvard describes as an “immediate and devastating effect.”
Next up, Harvard accuses the administration of playing the retaliation card. The lawsuit suggests that the government’s decision to ban international students is nothing more than a spiteful jab at Harvard for flexing its First Amendment muscles and rejecting the feds’ attempts to meddle in the university’s affairs. Harvard feels like it’s being punished for standing firm on its independence and constitutional rights. The freeze on federal funding and the international student ban are just the administration’s way of throwing a tantrum. If the ban sticks, Harvard fears that it will have to rescind admissions for thousands of students, throwing academic programs and research into chaos right before graduation.
The potential impact of the ban doesn’t stop there. Harvard predicts that losing its international students would not only dent its competitiveness but also diminish the educational experience for all students. The global character of the institution would take a hit, affecting the quality of dialogue and research across the board. Harvard highlights the ripple effect on its reputation and the halt in important research projects if the ban were to be enforced. With the lawsuit shining a spotlight on the administration’s heavy-handed tactics, Harvard is pushing back hard to protect its community and uphold its values.
