In a high-stakes legal challenge with wide-reaching implications for higher education and immigration policy, Harvard University has filed a lawsuit against former President Donald Trump, alleging that his administration’s actions unlawfully blocked the enrollment of international students during his tenure.
The suit, filed in federal court, claims that a directive issued under Trump’s leadership in 2020 which threatened to strip international students of their U.S. visas if their coursework moved entirely online was “arbitrary, capricious, and unlawful.” Harvard argues the policy forced institutions to choose between public health and their students’ legal status amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Although the policy was eventually rescinded after public outcry and legal pressure from several universities, including MIT, Harvard asserts that the damage had already been done. According to the complaint, the directive resulted in lost tuition revenue, abrupt disruptions to academic programs, and personal hardship for thousands of students.
“International students are an integral part of our academic community,” said Harvard President Claudine Gay in a statement. “This lawsuit seeks accountability for the discriminatory and reckless actions that undermined our mission and values.”
Legal experts suggest the case could set a precedent regarding presidential authority over education and immigration policy. Trump’s legal team has not yet publicly responded to the lawsuit.
This development comes as part of a broader reexamination of immigration policies enacted during Trump’s administration, with universities seeking to safeguard their global student base in a shifting political landscape.
source: gazettengr.com
