Harvard has filed a lawsuit to challenge a federal decision that stops it from enrolling foreign students.
Harvard University has taken the Trump administration to court after a federal move to cancel its license to admit international students. The lawsuit was filed on Friday in Boston’s U.S. District Court, marking a fresh battle between the government and one of the world’s top universities.
The university argues that the decision to revoke its certification under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) violates the Constitution and federal laws. The case has been assigned to Judge Allison Burroughs — the same judge who once ruled in Harvard’s favor in a big admissions case back in 2019.
According to the school, this decision would force over 7,000 foreign students out of their studies. Harvard said this not only harms those students, but also weakens the institution’s global image and academic strength.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem claimed that Harvard has ties to violent actions, antisemitic groups, and foreign political powers, especially the Chinese Communist Party. But Harvard has strongly denied these accusations, saying the government is simply trying to punish them for not giving in to pressure.
Harvard President Alan Garber responded in a letter, calling the government’s decision an attack on the university’s freedom. He said the administration is trying to control what is taught, who teaches, and who studies there — something Harvard cannot allow.
The White House, through spokesperson Abigail Jackson, dismissed the lawsuit as nothing more than political drama. She criticized Harvard for not addressing issues on its campus and claimed the university was ignoring serious national concerns.
However, the loss of foreign students would hurt Harvard financially and academically. These students make up more than a quarter of the school’s population, and many pay full tuition. Their absence could impact research, cultural exchange, and even funding.
This legal clash is part of a wider effort by the Trump administration to challenge elite institutions it sees as too independent. Experts say this case could change how universities operate in the future — especially when it comes to global education and academic freedom in the U.S.
