Delayed conflict with Harvard University: Donald Trump temporarily shelves measures targeting prestigious institution - Controversy with Harvard University: Donald Trump halts proposals targeting prestigious institutions
U.S. AdministrationputsHold onHarvard Student Ban; Grants University 30 Days to Contest Decision
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has postponed its immediate intention to prohibit the enrollment of international students at Harvard University. Instead, the prestigious institution, which is the oldest in the U.S., will be given a 30-day window to contest this decision. This concession comes following indications made by U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs in Boston that Harvard and its students might suffer harm if the ban were to be enacted. Judge Burroughs had signaled that a preliminary injunction might be issued to temporarily halt the ban until a full administrative process had been completed.
President Donald Trump has accused Harvard of fostering anti-Semitism, colluding with the Chinese Communist Party, and bias against conservatives. Particular criticism was directed at pro-Palestinian protests on campus. However, Harvard's legal team sees these actions as part of an ongoing attack on academic freedom. The university itself maintains that the Trump administration's actions stem from its refusal to allow government control over its leadership, curriculum, and faculty and student ideology.
Harvard claims that implementing the ban now would violate due process under the U.S. Constitution. Moreover, the university argues that it should be granted at least 30 days to challenge the government's claims in accordance with regulations.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security originally informed Harvard on Wednesday that it would revoke the university's certification under a federal program for admitting international students. This would have forbidden Harvard from admitting new international students and required current foreign students to transfer to other universities or lose their legal status. Harvard estimates that this would negatively affect about a quarter of its student body and drive the university into financial ruin. Trump has also threatened to cut off $3 billion in federal funding for the university.
- Harvard University
- Donald Trump
- Students
- U.S. Department of Homeland Security
- USA
Enrichment Data:The ongoing dispute between Harvard University and federal authorities revolves around the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) effort to revoke Harvard’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification. The revocation would have prevented Harvard from admitting new international students and required current foreign students to transfer or leave the country. The following summarizes recent developments:
- Initial Revocation
- DHS Secretary Kristi Noem ordered the termination of Harvard’s SEVP certification, alleging Harvard failed to provide the requested information, fostered an unsafe campus environment hostile to Jewish students, and promoted pro-Hamas sympathies, anti-American sentiment, and alleged collaboration with the Chinese Communist Party.
- Legal Challenge and Review
- Harvard filed a lawsuit and requested a temporary restraining order, which was granted by a federal judge in Boston. This order prevented the government from revoking Harvard’s ability to host international students while the case is under review.
- A hearing is scheduled for May 29, 2025, to further address the matter.
- Administrative Backtrack and Compliance Period
- The Trump administration subsequently gave Harvard 30 days to challenge the revocation or achieve compliance. If certification is ultimately withdrawn, Harvard would no longer be approved to enroll or continue educating nonimmigrant students.
- As of now, the restraining order remains in effect, allowing Harvard to enroll and host international students pending the outcome of legal proceedings and the compliance review period.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has given Harvard University, a prestigious institution in the USA, a 30-day window to contest their decision to revoke the university's Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification, a move that would have prevented Harvard from admitting new international students and forced current foreign students to transfer or leave the country. This decision comes after President Donald Trump's accusations against Harvard, including claims of fostering anti-Semitism and bias against conservatives, but Harvard's legal team sees these actions as a threat to academic freedom. The ongoing dispute involves arguments about due process under the U.S. Constitution and the university's right to challenge the government's claims in accordance with regulations.
