By: Manoah kikekon
Federal Judge Temporarily Halts DHS Order, Calling It "Unlawful Retaliation"
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| Harvard University |
In a dramatic escalation of tensions between Harvard University and the Trump administration, the Ivy League institution filed a lawsuit Friday challenging the federal government’s abrupt revocation of its ability to enroll international students a move Harvard calls unconstitutional retaliation for resisting political interference.
Just hours after the lawsuit was filed, U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs granted a temporary restraining order, blocking the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from enforcing the ban while litigation proceeds. The ruling offers a reprieve for nearly 7,000 international students at Harvard, who faced deportation or forced transfers if the policy took effect .
Harvard’s lawsuit alleges the Trump administration’s order violates the First Amendment, Due Process Clause, and Administrative Procedure Act, framing it as part of a broader "campaign of retribution" after the university refused to dismantle diversity initiatives and surrender academic independence.
In a scathing letter to the Harvard community, President Alan Garber condemned the DHS decision as an "unlawful and unwarranted action" that jeopardizes the futures of students and scholars while sending a chilling message to higher education nationwide .
The revocation lacks legal justification and was enacted without due process .
The Trump administration’s demands including disciplinary records of international students and footage of protests were overly broad and politically motivated .
The move disproportionately harms graduate programs, where 40-50% of students are international, including researchers in critical fields like medicine and environmental science.
The DHS order, announced Thursday by Secretary Kristi Noem, accused Harvard of fostering "anti-American, pro-terrorist" activism and alleged ties to the Chinese Communist Party claims the university denies. Noem gave Harvard 72 hours to submit extensive student records to regain certification, a demand Garber called impossible to fulfill under existing laws .
This is the latest salvo in Trump’s battle against universities resisting his policies: Funding Freezes: The administration previously withheld $2.2 billion in federal research grants from Harvard .
Tax-Exempt Status Threats: Trump has repeatedly suggested revoking Harvard’s nonprofit status over its refusal to curb DEI programs. Contrast with Columbia: Unlike Harvard, Columbia University acquiesced to White House demands on antisemitism policies to restore $400 million in funding .
The policy sparked international condemnation, with China’s government warning it would damage U.S. competitiveness, while Germany’s research minister called it "research policy suicide" .
On campus, students like Eduardo Vasconcelos, a senior from Brazil, described the order as a "rejection of four years of hard work" . Others, including postdoctoral researchers, feared abrupt deportation despite the judge’s intervention.
Judge Burroughs scheduled a preliminary injunction hearing for May 29, which could extend the block on DHS’s order . Legal experts predict a protracted court battle, with the administration likely appealing if the injunction stands.
Economic Impact: International students contribute $44 billion annually to the U.S. economy. Academic Freedom: The case tests the limits of federal authority over private universities. Global Perception: Observers warn the U.S. risks losing its status as the top destination for higher education .