Court inhibits Trump's proposed changes at Harvard University
Harvard Temporarily Wins Legal Battle Against U.S. Government's International Student Exclusion
Washington - A federal judge has issued a preliminary injunction halting the U.S. government's plan to exclude international students from Harvard University, after the Ivy League institution filed a lawsuit hours earlier. Judge Allison D. Burroughs determined that Harvard demonstrated that the government's order would cause significant and irreversible harm to the university.
This decision is likely a stepping stone in a prolonged legal battle. It is not a final ruling. The Trump administration seeks to prevent Harvard from accepting new international students under a specific federal program. Current international students would need to transfer to other universities or risk losing their U.S. residence status.
The Administration justifies its actions due to pro-Palestinian protests on U.S. campuses. Universities, including Harvard, face accusations of insufficient action to tackle these protests, and of tolerating antisemitic incidents on campus. However, Harvard accuses the administration of attempting to exert pressure on the university with an allegedly illegal retaliatory measure.
According to Harvard's lawsuit, excluding over 7,000 international students would gravely affect the university's student body, which significantly contributes to its mission. These students and their families are among the pieces caught in the government's escalating campaign of retaliation.
The judge's preliminary injunction bars the government from banning Harvard from continuing to accept international students through the specified federal program.
As for German students studying at Harvard, according to the Foreign Office, there are several hundred enrolled. The Foreign Office plans to discuss with U.S. officials the potential repercussions of excluding international students on German students.
The government's attempt to prevent Harvard from accepting new international students under a specific federal program raises concerns about the future of education-and-self-development opportunities for students abroad. This decision could potentially impact radio communication internationally, as several hundred German students are enrolled at Harvard, contributing to global academic dialogue.
