Harvard Sues Trump: Student Visa Restrictions
Harvard has escalated it’s legal battle against the Trump administration, filing suit over the recent ban on new international students. This bold move,covered by News Directory 3,challenges the President’s proclamation that restricts foreign students with F,M,or J visas from entering the U.S. The university’s legal team argues that the ban violates the First Amendment, claiming the actions are retaliatory against the university’s rejection of government demands. This lawsuit follows a previous challenge to the revocation of Harvard’s SEVP certification. Harvard is also seeking a ruling to release $2.5 billion in frozen federal funds. The court now faces the critical decision of whether to issue a preliminary injunction. Discover what’s next as the legal fight continues.
Harvard University Sues Trump Administration Over International Student Visa Ban
Updated June 06, 2025
Harvard University is intensifying its legal fight with the Trump administration, challenging a recent proclamation that restricts the enrollment of new international students. The amended lawsuit, filed Thursday, seeks an immediate pause on President Trump’s order, which prevents students with F, M, or J visas from entering the U.S.
The university’s legal team argues that both the proclamation and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary’s revocation violate the First Amendment. Harvard claims the actions are retaliatory, stemming from the university’s rejection of government demands regarding governance, curriculum, and faculty ideology.
This legal action builds upon a previous lawsuit Harvard filed after DHS moved to rescind the university’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification, a move that would have barred the institution from admitting foreign students. A federal judge temporarily blocked the administration from revoking the SEVP certification.
The proclamation also directs Secretary of State Marco Rubio to consider revoking existing visas for current Harvard students who meet the proclamation’s criteria. Harvard has also sought a decisive court ruling to release approximately $2.5 billion in frozen federal funds.
The Trump administration has accused Harvard of failing to address antisemitism on campus, combat rising crime rates, and provide sufficient facts about illegal or perilous activities of foreign students.
What’s next
The court will now consider Harvard’s request for a preliminary injunction, weighing the potential harm to the university and its international students against the government’s stated justifications for the ban on new international students.