Harvard University has launched a legal battle against the Trump administration following a decision to revoke its authority to enroll international students, a move the institution claims violates constitutional rights and threatens academic freedom. The lawsuit, filed in Boston federal court on Friday, alleges the termination of Harvard’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification is a “blatant violation” of federal law and the U.S. Constitution.
The revocation, ordered by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and effective from the 2025-2026 academic year, impacts over 7,000 visa holders. Harvard argues the decision “erases a quarter of its student body” and undermines its mission to foster global academic exchange. The university also claims the action is retaliation for resisting government attempts to influence its governance, curriculum, and faculty ideology.
This case highlights growing tensions between U.S. educational institutions and federal immigration policies, with potential implications for international students’ access to American universities. Analysts suggest the outcome could set a precedent for how academic independence is balanced against national policy priorities.
For global readers and investors, the dispute underscores broader challenges in cross-border education and talent mobility, key drivers of innovation and economic growth in Asia and beyond. Academics and diaspora communities are closely monitoring the case, which may reshape opportunities for international collaboration.
