Harvard University has initiated legal proceedings against the Trump administration, challenging a new federal policy that prohibits the institution from enrolling international students. The lawsuit, filed on May 23, 2025, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, contests the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) decision to revoke Harvard's certification under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). This revocation effectively bars the university from admitting foreign students, a move that Harvard contends is unconstitutional and retaliatory.

The DHS justified its action by alleging that Harvard failed to adequately address antisemitism on campus and maintained affiliations with the Chinese Communist Party. In response, Harvard President Alan Garber stated, "The government's overreach threatens the very foundation of academic freedom and institutional autonomy that undergird our shared freedoms." The university argues that the ban is a punitive measure resulting from its refusal to comply with federal demands concerning its governance and curriculum.

The policy has significant implications for Harvard's student body, affecting over 7,000 current international students and incoming students. The university asserts that the ban would critically damage its academic standing and global competitiveness. In its legal filing, Harvard is seeking a temporary restraining order to halt the DHS decision while the case is litigated.

This legal action follows a series of escalating tensions between Harvard and the Trump administration. Earlier in 2025, the administration froze over $2 billion in federal funding to Harvard, citing the university's non-compliance with demands to alter its governance and curriculum to address concerns over campus antisemitism and foreign influences. The administration has also threatened to revoke Harvard's tax-exempt status, further intensifying the conflict.

The broader academic community has expressed concern over the administration's actions. The American Council on Education, representing over 1,600 colleges and universities, stated, "It has been clear for weeks that the administration's actions violated due process and the rule of law. We applaud Harvard for taking this step and look forward to a clear and unambiguous statement by the court rebuking efforts to undermine scholarship and science."

The outcome of this lawsuit could have far-reaching consequences for higher education institutions across the United States. It raises critical questions about the balance between federal authority and academic freedom, as well as the role of international students in American universities. As the case proceeds, it will be closely watched by educational institutions, policymakers, and international students alike.