UPDATED
Second lawsuit is part of on-going feud with Republican leader over DEI, antisemitism
A federal judge quickly blocked the Trump administration on Friday from revoking a certification that allows Harvard University to enroll international students — as a dispute between the Republican leader and the Ivy League school continues over antisemitism and diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.
U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs issued the temporary order “within hours” after Harvard sued the federal government, The Hill reports.
Harvard, in asking for an immediate injunction, told the judge that revoking its international student enrollment certification would cause “immediate and irreparable injury before there is an opportunity to hear from all parties,” according to the report.
Harvard University filed its second lawsuit against the Trump administration Friday after the Republican leader revoked the school’s international student enrollment certification.
The Harvard Crimson reported about the lawsuit early Friday morning after news broke Thursday afternoon about the Department of Homeland Security’s decertification announcement.
Harvard’s lawsuit claims the decision is “unprecedented and retaliatory” and, according to The Crimson, “threatens to upend the lives of thousands of students just days before graduation. More than 7,000 students study at Harvard on a visa.”
In a letter Thursday, shared on X by Libs of TikTok, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem told Harvard that its Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification was revoked “effectively immediately.”
The program “collects, maintains, analyzes and provides information so only legitimate foreign students or exchange visitors gain entry to the United States. SEVP also ensures that the institutions accepting nonimmigrant students are certified and follow the federal rules and regulations that govern them,” according to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement website.
Noem wrote the decision was based on Harvard’s failure to comply with the department’s reporting requirements, its “unsafe campus environment that is hostile to Jewish students,” its promotion of “pro-Hamas sympathies,” and its “racist ‘diversity, equity, and inclusion policies.’”
The department warned Harvard this could happen in April if it did not make changes, Noem wrote.
“Consequences must follow to send a clear signal to Harvard and all universities that want to enjoy the privilege of enrolling foreign students, that the Trump Administration will enforce the law and root out the evils of anti-Americanism and antisemitism in society and campuses,” she wrote.
Responding Friday morning, university President Alan Garber wrote in a campus message that the decision is “unlawful and unwarranted,” according to The Crimson:
“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 fulfill their dreams,” he added. …
Without SEVP status, current and prospective international students would need to transfer to another university or lose their ability to stay in the United States legally.
In its court filing, Harvard described the decertification as a politically motivated act of retaliation carried out “without process or cause,” aimed at coercing the University into imposing ideological litmus tests on its admissions, hiring, and academic programs.
“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 states.
Harvard argued that the revocation of its SEVP status also violated the First Amendment by infringing on the University’s academic freedom and retaliating against Harvard for engaging in constitutionally protected speech.
The prestigious university and President Donald Trump have been sparring for months over its federal funding and ideological leanings.
In April, Harvard sued the Trump administration for pausing more than $2.2 billion in funding over its refusal to comply with requested reforms regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion programs and antisemitism.
Trump also has warned Harvard that its tax exempt status could be revoked.
Earlier this month, Harvard ended its tradition of hosting special, racially segregated graduation ceremonies. It also renamed its Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging, with both moves seen by some as a concession to the Trump administration, The College Fix reported.
Editor’s note: This article was updated to include the judge’s order temporarily blocking the Trump administration’s actions.
MORE: Trump says he’ll follow through on ending Harvard’s tax-exempt status
IMAGE CAPTION AND CREDIT: The Harvard University campus; Jorge Salcedo/Shutterstock
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