Harvard sues Trump administration for blocking enrollment of foreign students

In a complaint filed in Boston federal court, 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

Harvard asked a federal judge to block the revocation, citing "the immediate and irreparable harm inflicted by this lawless action." The case was assigned to U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs.

White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson dismissed the lawsuit.

"If only Harvard cared this much about ending the scourge of anti-American, anti-Semitic, pro-terrorist agitators on their campus they wouldn't be in this situation to begin with," Jackson said.

"Harvard should spend their time and resources on creating a safe campus environment instead of filing frivolous lawsuits," she added.

The termination of Harvard's Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification, effective with the 2025-2026 academic year, was announced by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

She said the termination was justified because of Harvard's "fostering violence, antisemitism, and coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party."

HARVARD DEFENDS 'REFUSAL TO SURRENDER'

In a letter to the Harvard community, the school's president Alan Garber condemned the administration's actions.

"The revocation continues a series of government actions to retaliate against Harvard for our refusal to surrender our academic independence and to submit to the federal government's illegal assertion of control over our curriculum, our faculty, and our student body," Garber wrote.