Harvard University has filed a federal lawsuit against the Trump administration. The legal battle began after the government revoked the university’s ability to enroll international students. Harvard claims this decision violates the U.S. Constitution and other laws.
On Friday, Harvard University filed a complaint in a Boston federal court. The lawsuit challenges the Trump administration’s move to strip the school of its Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification.
The decision affects over 7,000 international students. Harvard called the action “a blatant violation” of federal law.
“With the stroke of a pen, the government has sought to erase a quarter of Harvard’s student body,” the university stated in the filing.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the revocation on Thursday. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said the decision was due to Harvard “fostering violence, antisemitism, and coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party.”
Noem stated that admitting international students is “a privilege, not a right,” accusing Harvard of using their tuition to “pad their multibillion-dollar endowments.”
Harvard responded sharply, calling the move “unlawful and unwarranted.” A public note sent to the Harvard community condemned the administration’s actions.
“It imperils the futures of thousands of students and scholars,” the university said. “We will do everything in our power to support them.”
The university is seeking a temporary restraining order to stop the enforcement of the visa ban.
This lawsuit is the second filed by Harvard in recent weeks. Last month, the school sued the Trump administration over alleged interference in curriculum, hiring, and admissions.
The new conflict began in April when DHS demanded disciplinary records of international students. The agency also requested information about students’ participation in campus protests. Harvard complied but did not disclose what data was shared.
On April 16, DHS threatened to revoke SEVP certification if Harvard failed to provide the records.
Legal experts say the case could have wide-reaching effects on other U.S. universities and international students nationwide.
The lawsuit underscores growing tensions between American universities and federal immigration policy under the Trump administration. With over 7,000 international students in limbo, Harvard’s legal challenge could set a precedent for academic freedom and student rights across the U.S.
