Harvard University has taken legal action against the U.S. government after officials barred the school from enrolling international students, calling the move unconstitutional and politically motivated.
The prestigious Ivy League institution filed a lawsuit in federal court on Friday, accusing the Trump administration of retaliating against the university for not aligning with its political agenda.
Harvard argues that the decision violates the First Amendment and could immediately and severely affect the university and its more than 7,000 international students. “With the stroke of a pen, the government has sought to erase a quarter of Harvard’s student body,” the lawsuit states. “Without its international students, Harvard is not Harvard.”
The university is seeking a temporary restraining order to stop the Department of Homeland Security from enforcing the ban, which comes just days before graduation.
Harvard says the decision has caused chaos on campus. International students, many of whom run labs, teach classes, or compete in university sports are now left scrambling to transfer or risk losing their legal immigration status.
Graduate programs such as the Harvard Kennedy School and Harvard Business School, where nearly half and one-third of students are international, are among the hardest hit.
The ban also blocks thousands of incoming students who had planned to begin their studies during the summer and fall sessions. Harvard warns that the move could damage its global reputation and discourage future international applicants from applying due to fear of future reprisals.
“If allowed to stand, the government’s action would prevent Harvard from admitting new international students for at least the next two academic years,” the university said. Schools stripped of federal certification must wait at least one year before they can reapply, Harvard added.
As of now, the Department of Homeland Security has not commented publicly on the lawsuit.