• Source:JND
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Harvard University sued the Trump administration on Friday over President Donald Trump's decision to revoke the Ivy League school's ability to enroll international students. In a complaint filed in Boston federal court, Harvard called the revocation a "blatant violation" of the US Constitution's First Amendment and other federal laws. It also said the revocation had an "immediate and devastating effect" on the university and more than 7,000 visa holders.

"It is the latest act by the government in clear retaliation for Harvard to exercise its First Amendment rights to reject the government's demands to control Harvard's governance, curriculum, and the 'ideology' of its faculty and students," the university added.

Harvard enrolled nearly 6,800 international students

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on Thursday ordered the termination of Harvard's Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification, effective with the 2025-2026 academic year. She accused Harvard of "fostering violence, antisemitism, and coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party." Harvard enrolled nearly 6,800 international students in its current school year, equal to 27 per cent of total enrollment, according to university statistics.

It said the revocation would force it to retract admissions for thousands of people, and has thrown "countless" academic programs, clinics, courses and research laboratories into disarray, just a few days before graduation. "Without its international students, Harvard is not Harvard," the 389-year-old school said.

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Currently, Harvard hosts a total of about 10,158 students and scholars from around the world across its schools. According to statistics on the website of Harvard International Office, there are 788 students and scholars from India at all schools under Harvard University for the 2024-25 academic year. 

South Asian student group strongly condemns Trump administration's decision

A prominent South Asian student group at Harvard has “strongly condemned” the Trump administration's decision to revoke the university's eligibility to enrol foreign students, terming it an “unwarranted and flagrant attack” and calling on varsity's administration to maintain steadfast support for its international student community.

In an unprecedented development, the Trump administration on Thursday ordered the Department of Homeland Security to terminate Harvard University's Student and Exchange Visitor Programme (SEVP) certification. “This means Harvard can no longer enrol foreign students and existing foreign students must transfer or lose their legal status,” the federal agency said.

(With inputs from agency)

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