Harvard University on Friday filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration for President Donald Trump's decision in which he revoked the top institution's ability to enrol international students.

Calling Trump's decision a "blatant violation" of the US Constitution and other laws, Harvard University filed a complaint in Boston federal court, saying the revocation of the ability to enrol foreign students had an "immediate and devastating effect" on the varsity and over 7,000 visa holders.

"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," the university said in its complaint.

Harvard condemned the Trump administration's decision and addressed a note to the members of the Harvard Community, calling the move "unlawful and unwarranted".

"We condemn this unlawful and unwarranted action. 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 note said.

The university further hoped that following their complaint, a motion for a temporary restraining order would follow. Harvard vowed to "do everything" in its power to support its students and scholars.

On Thursday, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem informed Harvard that its Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification was "revoked effective immediately", holding Harvard accountable for "fostering violence, antisemitism, and coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party on its campus".

"It is a privilege, not a right, for universities to enroll foreign students and benefit from their higher tuition payments to help pad their multibillion-dollar endowments. Harvard had plenty of opportunity to do the right thing. It refused," she added in a post on X.

This is the second lawsuit after the university filed a lawsuit last month against the Trump administration over attempts to alter its curriculum, admissions procedures, and hiring policies.

The action follows three weeks after Harvard submitted disciplinary records of foreign students requested by the Trump administration in mid-April. Administrators have refused to detail what data was shared with the agency.

On April 16, the DHS had first sent Harvard a letter asking the university to report information on foreign students' activities on campus, including participation in protests. Noem had threatened to withdraw Harvard's SEVP certification if it failed to comply.

Source: India Today