Harvard vs. Trump: Judge Halts DHS in Explosive Legal Showdown Over International Students

Washington(The Uttam Hindu): A judge in Massachusetts has put a temporary hold on the Trump administration's decision to revoke Harvard University's ability to enroll international students.

This ruling came just a day after the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that Harvard's certification to use the SEVIS system – which stands for Student and Exchange Visitor Information System – was canceled, marking a significant move in President Donald Trump's ongoing criticism of the prestigious Ivy League institution.

The DHS also informed Harvard that any foreign students currently enrolled would need to transfer to another college or risk losing their status. It's estimated that around 780 Indian students and scholars are studying at Harvard. "With the stroke of a pen, the government has sought to erase a quarter of Harvard's student body, international students who contribute significantly to the university and its mission," Harvard said in a lawsuit filed in this court on Friday morning.

"Without its international students, Harvard is not Harvard." In a letter to the college's community, Alan M. Garber, Harvard's President, wrote, "We condemn this unlawful and unwarranted action." He added that it "imperils the futures of thousands of students and scholars across Harvard and serves as a warning to countless others at colleges and universities throughout the country who have come to America to pursue their education and fulfill their dreams". The Trump administration has suspended all funding for the University and sought to revoke its tax-exempt status over its handling of the pro-Palestine protests and attacks on Jewish students.

Trump has also gone against other major colleges as well such as Colombia University. The DHS had demanded information from Harvard on its 7,000 foreign students across its 13 schools, which was submitted. "Yet on May 22, DHS deemed Harvard's response "insufficient," without explaining why or citing any regulation with which Harvard failed to comply," the lawsuit said. The court's temporary block on the DHS order came within hours of the lawsuit.