In a complaint filed in Boston federal court filed earlier on Friday, Harvard called the revocation a “blatant violation” of the U.S. Constitution and other federal laws, and had an “immediate and devastating effect” on the university and more than 7,000 visa holders.
A United States judge on Friday blocked the Donald Trump administration from revoking Harvard University’s ability to enroll foreign students.
In a complaint filed in Boston federal court filed earlier on Friday, Harvard called the revocation a “blatant violation” of the U.S. Constitution and other federal laws, and had an “immediate and devastating effect” on the university and more than 7,000 visa holders.
“With the stroke of a pen, the government has sought to erase a quarter of Harvard’s student body, international students who contribute significantly to the University and its mission,” Harvard said.
“Without its international students, Harvard is not Harvard,” the 389-year-old school added.
U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs, an appointee of Democratic President Barack Obama, issued the temporary restraining order freezing the policy.
Trump’s pressure on Harvard is part of the Republican’s broader campaign to compel universities, law firms, news media, courts and other institutions that value independence from partisan politics to align with his agenda.
The campaign has included efforts to deport foreign students who participated in pro-Palestinian protests but committed no crimes, retaliate against law firms that employ lawyers who have challenged Trump, and a suggestion by Trump to impeach a judge for an immigration ruling the president didn’t like.
Harvard, based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, has pushed back hard against Trump, having previously sued to restore some $3billion in federal grants that had been frozen or canceled.
Law firms including WilmerHale and Susman Godfrey have also sued, while U.S. Chief Justice John Roberts said impeaching judges is not an appropriate response to disagreement with their rulings.
