‘Unlawful, retaliatory’: Harvard on Trump admin’s move to revoke its eligibility to enrol international students

Policy Sparks Immediate Backlash

In July 2020, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced a policy change. It stated that international students must attend in-person classes or face removal from the country. The policy applied even if their universities chose to offer online-only classes because of COVID-19.

Harvard had already planned to keep all courses online to protect students and staff. The policy left the university with a grim choice: reopen campus against health advice or risk losing international students. Schools across the U.S. faced the same dilemma.

Harvard and MIT File Lawsuit

Harvard and MIT quickly responded by filing a joint lawsuit in federal court. Their legal team argued that the policy lacked scientific and legal justification. They claimed ICE acted without proper reasoning and contradicted earlier guidance that allowed virtual learning during the pandemic.

Harvard’s president, Lawrence S. Bacow, condemned the policy. He called it “cruel” and “reckless,” saying it endangered students’ health. In a public letter, he wrote that the directive forced universities to choose between public safety and student visas.

Public Support and Legal Pressure Mount

Soon after the lawsuit, more than 200 colleges joined Harvard and MIT in opposition. Seventeen states and several tech giants, including Google and Facebook, also voiced support. They argued that the policy violated the Administrative Procedure Act and ignored students’ wellbeing.

The situation exposed deep frustrations over the Trump administration’s approach to immigration and education. From travel bans to visa restrictions, many universities had already clashed with federal officials.

This legal challenge became a symbol of academic resistance. Harvard and its allies wanted to defend international students and preserve institutional independence.

Trump Administration Withdraws Policy

The growing legal and public backlash forced the Trump administration to back down. Just one week after announcing the policy, ICE rescinded it.

Harvard and MIT called the reversal a major win. President Bacow said the rule had been both “unlawful” and “cruel.” He emphasized that the decision respected international students and upheld core academic values.

Still, the policy had already shaken the trust of students around the world. Many began exploring education options in countries with clearer, more consistent policies.

Lasting Effects on U.S. Higher Education

The controversy had long-term consequences. International student enrollment dropped sharply during the 2020–21 academic year. While the pandemic played a big role, many experts blamed the harsh tone of U.S. immigration policy for accelerating the decline.

Universities have worked hard to rebuild trust. Some, including Harvard, launched new offices focused on international engagement and support. Others created programs to assist students affected by sudden policy changes.

Yet the damage lingers. Many prospective students now question whether the U.S. remains a safe and stable place to study.

Conclusion

Harvard’s clash with the Trump administration showed how politics can impact education. By labeling the policy “unlawful and retaliatory,” Harvard defended academic freedom and international student rights. The university’s swift legal action sent a message: U.S. schools won’t stay silent when government actions threaten their values.

Though ICE dropped the policy, its effects still echo through higher education. The incident highlighted the need to protect the openness and global diversity that define American universities.