The Trump administration has consistently tried to prevent Harvard University from serving as a haven for foreign extremists, while Judge Obama has often created hurdles.
The Department of Homeland Security is dissatisfied with Harvard’s handling of violent and illegal actions involving foreign students. Recently, it declared that it would revoke the university’s accreditation for the Student and Exchange Visitor Program, which is crucial for enrolling international students.
This decision significantly affects students, with around 7,000—approximately 27%—being foreigners. More critically, it impacts the university’s finances as well. Harvard has filed a lawsuit, claiming that this decision violates the First Amendment, due process rights, and the Administrative Procedure Act.
U.S. District Judge Alison Burrows, appointed by Obama, has granted temporary restraining orders extending to May 23rd.
Harvard University has been marked as an unreliable administrator of the International Student and Exchange Visitor Program.
I’ve observed various tactics from President Donald Trump. An executive order was issued on Wednesday, suspending the entry of foreign Harvard students on non-immigrant F, M, or J visas. This move seems aimed at bypassing Judge Obama’s temporary restraining order.
The President presented this action as a way to enhance national security, alleging that Harvard has shown:
- Violations of federal law.
- Inability to manage foreign students.
- A willingness to disclose information regarding known illegal activities by international students.
- A significant connection with communist China.
The White House highlighted that Harvard failed to adequately address incidents of violent anti-Semitism on campus, noting that many involved were foreign students.
Trump remarked that “Harvard University is no longer a reliable administrator” of the International Student and Exchange Visitor Program. He further argued that the consequences of Harvard’s actions could jeopardize the integrity of the U.S. student-exchange visitor visa system and compromise national security.
Attorney General Pam Bondi responded, emphasizing that admission to an “elite” American university is a privilege, not a right. She asserted that the Justice Department stands firmly behind the President’s declaration to halt new foreign student entries at Harvard due to national security concerns.
Nonetheless, the university has modified its lawsuit, accusing Trump of exercising “governmental revenge” against Harvard and demanding swift action from Judge Obama.
Harvard University President Alan Garber expressed relief, emphasizing that the institution fosters a “truly global university community,” heavily supported by billions in U.S. taxpayer dollars.
Judge Burrows intervened again, blocking the President’s order, which adds to the increasing number of national injunctions and temporary restraining orders that federal judges have issued since Trump left office.
Burrows indicated that her rulings are “guaranteed” to continue, asserting that Massachusetts-based schools would otherwise suffer “immediate and irreparable injuries.”
Following this, Chad Mizzel, Chief of Staff for Attorney General Pam Bondi, remarked that Harvard is unwilling to provide information to the federal government about crimes and misconduct by foreign students.
He insisted this presents a threat to national security and reiterated the need to defend the President’s declaration.
Blaze News reached out to the White House and DHS for remarks but did not receive an immediate reply.
