Foreign nationals are currently permitted to enroll at Harvard.
Harvard Permitted to Admit International Students amid Legal Dispute with U.S. Government
In a significant development, a federal judge has upheld Harvard University's right to continue enrolling international students after an initial order last Friday. The ongoing legal conflict revolves around the Trump administration's attempt to revoke Harvard's ability to host foreign students.
During a hearing, Judge Allison D. Burroughs extended the temporary injunction, confirming that Harvard can admit international students with valid visas. This is not a final ruling, though.
CNN reports that Judge Burroughs stated, "I want to maintain the status quo." Earlier, the U.S. government had given Harvard a 30-day deadline to demonstrate compliance with all legal requirements related to international student enrollment. The government argued that Harvard should no longer be allowed to admit new international students as part of a special federal program.
Harvard filed a lawsuit against this order, contending that it would cause "immediate and irreparable harm." The university claims that the government's actions are unconstitutional retaliation, violating the First Amendment, the Due Process Clause, and the Administrative Procedure Act.
The Trump administration justifies its actions by citing pro-Palestinian protests at U.S. universities. It alleges that universities, including Harvard, have not done enough to combat these protests and tolerate anti-Semitic incidents on campus.
International students represent more than a quarter of Harvard's student body, primarily hailing from Asia. Of these, 549 students are from Germany alone. The university celebrated its graduates amidst the ongoing conflict, with Harvard President Alan Garber praising the numerous international graduates during the commencement ceremony.
Dr. Abraham Verghese, the commencement speaker, urged a rejection of threats that could wrongfully detain and deport international students. He compared such actions to the military coup in Ethiopia in 1974, when the junta ordered the closure of universities.
The dispute between Harvard and the Trump administration goes beyond administrative compliance, with the administration attempting to exert control over the university's international student enrollment and faculty ideology. Harvard asserts that the administration's actions are unconstitutional retaliation and a disregard for due process. The matter continues to unfold in court.
Sources: ntv.de, mpe/dpa/AFP
- The community policy on free movement of workers and freedom of movement could potentially be affected by the ongoing legal dispute between Harvard University and the U.S. Government.
- The ongoing legal conflict between Harvard University and the U.S. Government, rooted in politics and general news, may impact the education-and-self-development of international students.
