Boston - Saba:
A U.S. judge ruled on Friday to prevent the Trump administration from revoking Harvard University’s ability to enroll foreign students, following a lawsuit filed in federal court in Boston.
Harvard described the revocation decision as a "blatant violation" of the U.S. Constitution and other federal laws, with an "immediate and devastating" impact on the university and over 7,000 visa holders.
"Harvard stated, 'With the stroke of a pen, the government sought to erase a quarter of Harvard’s students—international students who contribute immensely to the university and its mission.'"
The university added, "Without its international students, Harvard would not be Harvard."
Federal Judge Allison Burroughs, appointed by Democratic President Barack Obama, issued a temporary injunction halting Trump’s order.
Trump’s pressure on Harvard is part of a broader Republican campaign to force universities, law firms, media outlets, courts, and other institutions that value independence from partisan politics to comply with his agenda. The campaign has included efforts to deport foreign students who participated in pro-Palestine protests without committing crimes, retaliate against law firms employing lawyers who challenged Trump, and a proposal by Trump to remove a judge over an immigration ruling he disliked.
Harvard, based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, has strongly resisted Trump, previously filing lawsuits to restore frozen or canceled federal grants worth nearly $3 billion.
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