Harvard Sues Trump Administration Over Foreign Student Visa Ban
Harvard University and MIT have jointly sued the Trump administration after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) issued a policy barring international students from staying in the U.S. if their programs are entirely online. The universities argue that the order is reckless, unlawful, and threatens the well-being of students.
Cambridge, Massachusetts – Harvard University, in a rare show of legal force, has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, challenging a newly announced immigration rule that bars international students from remaining in the United States if they are enrolled in fully online programs due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The policy, announced by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), has sparked immediate backlash from academic institutions, global students, and human rights advocates. It affects F-1 and M-1 visa holders, stating they “may not take a full online course load and remain in the United States.”
“We believe that the ICE order is unlawful,” said Harvard President Larry Bacow. “Its cruelty is surpassed only by its recklessness.”
MIT Joins Legal Battle
The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Boston, is jointly led by Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The schools argue that the new rule forces universities to choose between public health and immigration compliance, effectively weaponizing visa policy to pressure schools to reopen physically during a pandemic.
The institutions had previously announced plans to conduct all classes online for the 2020-2021 academic year, citing safety concerns amid rising COVID-19 cases in the U.S.
Global Education at Risk
More than 1 million international students attend U.S. colleges and universities, contributing an estimated $45 billion to the American economy annually. The lawsuit warns that the visa ban will disrupt lives, derail education plans, and tarnish the global reputation of U.S. higher education.
“This policy undermines everything universities stand for—diversity, safety, and academic freedom,” said Rafael Reif, President of MIT.
Political Motive?
Critics argue the policy is a thinly veiled attempt to pressure institutions to physically reopen, aligning with the Trump administration’s broader political push to restart the economy regardless of health risks.
“This is not about immigration—it’s about coercing schools into reopening,” said Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in a tweet supporting the lawsuit.
Support Builds
Several other universities, including Stanford, Yale, and the University of California system, have expressed support for the lawsuit and may file amicus briefs. Tech companies like Google and Facebook have also condemned the policy, citing its impact on innovation and talent pipelines.
The case is expected to move quickly, with a hearing scheduled within days, as students and institutions face an approaching fall semester with looming uncertainty.
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