The Trump administration‘s proposal to deny Harvard University admission to international students has been temporarily halted by a restraining order issued by a judge. The decision followed a complaint from Harvard, the most recent development in a conflict between the White House and one of the most prominent universities in the country.
The administration’s decision to prohibit overseas students on Thursday, according to the university, was a “blatant violation” of the law and free expression rights.
Harvard has vehemently refuted the Trump administration’s claims that it has not gone far enough in combating antisemitism and altering its employment and admissions procedures.
In a brief decision on Friday, US District Judge Allison Burroughs granted a temporary restraining order.
The Department of Homeland Security revoked Harvard’s access to the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), a federal database that handles international students, on Thursday. The injunction halts that action. The next hearing will take place in Boston on May 29.
The shadow of uncertainty casts a long shadow over students
On Friday, Harvard was silent. The year’s classes are over, and graduation preparations are underway. As students gathered tickets for family members and leased gowns, gazebos were being erected on the quad. It should be a week of celebration for those who are graduating. But it’s been a 24-hour maelstrom for international students who want to stay in the US.
International students at Harvard were frantically trying to figure out what was going to happen all morning. Would they have to depart the United States right away? Were they now in danger of being deported?
Additionally, the directive makes preparations more difficult for enrolled pupils. When word of the reprieve from the Boston court reached a gathering of international students gathered on the banks of the Charles River while rowing teams sculled by, the relief was evident.
China accounts for around 5% of them, while Canada, India, South Korea, and the UK have sizable populations. The future queen of Belgium, Princess Elisabeth, 23, is one of the overseas pupils presently enrolled.
Harvard’s budget would be severely impacted by the removal of international students. According to experts, foreign students are more likely to cover the entire cost of tuition, therefore reducing financial help for US students.
According to the institution, undergraduate tuition will cost $59,320 (£43,850) in the next academic year, excluding fees, accommodation, books, food, and health insurance. Before any financial help, the average annual cost of attending Harvard is far over $100,000.
Trump administration’s war against colleges
The Trump administration has targeted other prestigious universities in addition to Harvard, alleging that they discriminate against conservative opinions in addition to saying that they have to do more to crack down on pro-Palestinian demonstrators.
President Donald Trump stated Friday from the Oval Office that “Harvard is going to have to change its ways” and hinted that he is thinking about taking action against more colleges.
Trump has threatened to revoke Harvard’s tax-exempt status, which is a common classification for US educational institutions, and the White House froze $2.2 billion (£1.7 billion) in government funds for the university in April. An previous Harvard case that also asked the courts to halt the administration’s activities was triggered by the funding block.
