Harvard Sues Trump Administration Over International Student Ban

Key Points:

• Harvard files federal lawsuit challenging DHS’s revocation of its ability to enroll international students.
• Claims violations of First Amendment, Due Process, and the Administrative Procedure Act.
• DHS alleges Harvard promotes antisemitism and maintains ties to China.
• U.S. District Judge Jeffrey White has already blocked mass SEVIS terminations in a related ruling.
• Harvard seeks immediate court injunction to protect visa-holding students.

Harvard University has filed a federal lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), challenging its revocation of the university’s SEVP certification. The complaint alleges that the administration’s move was politically motivated and violated the university’s constitutional rights and academic independence.

The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts and asserts violations of the First Amendment, the Due Process Clause, and the Administrative Procedure Act. Harvard is requesting a temporary restraining order (TRO) to halt enforcement of the DHS directive.

What Prompted the Lawsuit

According to GNBNow, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem announced the revocation of Harvard’s ability to enroll international students on May 21. The decision came with an ultimatum: Harvard had 72 hours to submit detailed records of international students’ affiliations, including those linked to on-campus protests and foreign organizations.

DHS claimed that Harvard was “operating in violation of federal interests” and accused it of fostering antisemitism and tolerating influence from the Chinese Communist Party. The department also raised concerns over student involvement in Gaza-related demonstrations, stating such activism represented a national security threat.

Harvard officials rejected the claims, calling them “baseless” and “an attack on institutional autonomy.” President Alan Garber emphasized the administration’s targeting of Harvard for its refusal to implement federally guided curriculum reforms and governance changes.

Background: Federal Court Already Blocked SEVIS Actions

This lawsuit follows a major ruling from U.S. District Judge Jeffrey White on May 22, who issued a nationwide injunction against the Trump administration’s SEVIS record terminations.

The ruling came in a separate case filed by international students affected by mass terminations. Judge White ruled that the DHS initiative—marketed as the “Student Criminal Alien Initiative”—lacked legal authority and improperly equated technical database flags with immigration violations.

The court ordered all SEVIS records to be reinstated and barred DHS and ICE from taking adverse actions without judicial approval. The full ruling is available here.

What’s at Stake for Harvard and U.S. Higher Ed

International students make up nearly 27% of Harvard’s total student body. The SEVP revocation could force thousands to leave the U.S., disrupt research collaborations, and compromise Harvard’s global academic standing.

Experts warn that if the DHS action is upheld, it could empower future administrations to exert undue influence over universities through immigration enforcement. MIT, Yale, and other top institutions are expected to file amicus briefs in support of Harvard.

A preliminary hearing on Harvard’s TRO request is expected early next week.

Further Reading

• Trump Revokes Harvard Student Certification – GNBNow
• Full Harvard Lawsuit Document (PDF)
• Judge White Ruling on SEVIS Terminations (PDF)