A US federal judge last week temporarily restrained the Donald Trump administration’s policy of revoking of Harvard University’s ability to enrol international students.
The conflict between the university and the Trump administration began around March-April this year when Harvard’s president publicly said the university would not comply with the demands to change its hiring, admissions policies, or academic curriculum.
The Department of Homeland Security sent a letter accusing Harvard of ensuring an “unsafe” campus environment for Jews, promoting “pro-Hamas sympathises”, and employing “racial” diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies. Sharing the letter on X, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem claimed that Harvard was “also coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party on its campus.”
She added, “It is a privilege, not a right, for universities to enrol foreign students. They (Harvard) have lost their SEVP [Student and Exchange Visitor Program] certification as a result of their failure to adhere to the law. Let this serve as a warning to all universities and academic institutions across the country."
The Trump administration’s actions are coercive, deeply condemnable, and merit juridical intervention, both as a constitutional safeguarding measure, and to avoid legislative or executive overreach.