Harvard University, in partnership with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration in response to a federal directive that would bar international students from remaining in the United States if their fall semester courses are entirely online.
The policy, issued by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), states that foreign students on F-1 or M-1 visas cannot stay in the country if they are enrolled exclusively in online classes. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, many institutions, including Harvard, have shifted to virtual instruction to ensure the safety of students and staff. However, under the new directive, thousands of international students could face deportation unless they transfer to in-person programs — a move Harvard argues is not only impractical but dangerous during an ongoing public health crisis.
In its legal complaint filed in federal court, Harvard accuses the administration of acting without proper justification and failing to consider the harm to students and universities. “The order came without notice—and its cruelty is surpassed only by its recklessness,” Harvard President Lawrence Bacow said in a statement. “It appears that it was designed purposefully to pressure colleges and universities to reopen their campuses this fall, without regard to concerns for the health and safety of students, instructors, and others.”
The lawsuit seeks a temporary restraining order to block the enforcement of the directive and ultimately invalidate the policy altogether. Harvard and MIT argue that the rule violates the Administrative Procedure Act by failing to account for the impact on institutions that had already developed reopening plans based on government guidance and evolving health conditions.
Educators, advocacy groups, and public officials have widely condemned the decision, citing its potential to disrupt the academic careers of over one million international students in the United States. Critics also note that the policy could deter future students from pursuing education in the U.S., potentially harming the nation’s higher education system and its economy.
As the case moves forward, many are watching closely, viewing the lawsuit as a test of how far educational institutions can push back against federal immigration policy. For now, the outcome remains uncertain, but the stakes for students, universities, and public health are undeniably high.
Reporting by Katy Moore.
