Hamas's elusive figure, Mohammad Sinwar, identified as the individual Israel alleges it has captured.
Federal Judge Extends Temporary Injunction Against Trump Administration's International Student Enrollment Order
BOSTON, MAY 30 — In a victory for Harvard University, a federal judge has announced her intention to issue a preliminary injunction, extending a temporary order that blocks President Donald Trump's administration from immediately revoking the Ivy League school's ability to enroll international students.
During a court hearing on May 24, US District Judge Allison Burroughs in Boston granted Harvard a temporary order, following the school's legal challenge of the administration's initial move. Thousands of Harvard students were receiving their degrees at the school's commencement ceremony, held about 5 miles away, as the court hearing unfolded.
University President Alan Garber, who received a standing ovation, welcomed graduating students from diverse backgrounds, including international students. His statement, "Around the world - just as it should be," drew applause.
The Trump administration's multifaceted attack on Harvard includes freezing billions of dollars in grants and other funding, proposing to end its tax-exempt status, and opening an investigation into potential discrimination. The administration's revoking Harvard's ability to enroll international students would reportedly be damaging, given that over a quarter of the student body comprises international students, with nearly 60% of graduate students at the prestigious Harvard Kennedy School hailing from other countries.
Harvard's conflict with the administration is part of a broader effort to pressure higher education institutions to conform to the administration's policy agenda. On May 26, Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the administration would start aggressively revoking visas issued to Chinese students attending U.S. schools. This decision has caused distress and frustration among students who received offers to attend next year.
Over 275,000 Chinese students are enrolled in hundreds of US colleges, providing a significant revenue source for schools and a crucial pipeline of talent for U.S. technology companies. If the visas are revoked, it may lead to a "brain drain."
Prior to Rubio's announcement, the offensive against US colleges had mainly targeted Ivy League schools such as Harvard, Columbia, and the University of Pennsylvania. Before the court hearing, the Department of Homeland Security sent a notice to Harvard, giving the university 30 days to submit evidence contesting the administration's plan to revoke Harvard's right to enroll non-U.S. students. The notice signals a change in course for DHS, which had previously stated that the revocation was effective immediately.
Harvard has argued that the administration's actions are part of an "unprecedented and retaliatory attack on academic freedom." The school is also pursuing a separate lawsuit challenging the administration's decision to terminate nearly $3 billion in federal research funding. As the case proceeds to a full hearing, Harvard retains its ability to enroll international students, maintaining the status quo for both current and future international students.
- The ongoing legal challenge by Harvard University against the Trump administration's policy-and-legislation, which includes the proposed revocation of enrollment for international students, is part of a broader attempt to influence policy-and-legislation in the realm of education.
- The federal judge's preliminary injunction, extending the temporary order that blocks the administration's order, is significant news for the international tech community, given that over a quarter of Harvard's student body consists of international students.
- The international dimension of this case extends beyond general-news, as the administration's actions against Harvard are not isolated incidents; Secretary of State Marco Rubio's announcement to start aggressively revoking visas issued to Chinese students attending U.S. schools points towards a broader international issue.
- The legal battle between Harvard and the administration is not just about enrollment; it also involves an investigation into potential discrimination and a potential loss of federal research funding, which could have far-reaching implications for policy-and-legislation in the global education sector.
- As the court case progresses, developments such as the preliminary injunction serve to monitor and question the administration's authority in matters pertaining to international students, technology, and academic freedom, a pressing issue in international law and politics.
