Latest news with #AllisonBurroughs
Yahoo
a day ago
- General
- Yahoo
Judge expands order protecting Harvard from Trump block on enrolling international students
A US federal judge will issue an injunction blocking the Trump administration's efforts to prevent Harvard University from enrolling international students. The university was in court seeking to extend a temporary order blocking the Trump administration from revoking the school's right to host international students. The judge, Allison Burroughs, had issued an emergency block last week after the administration abruptly announced it would cancel Harvard's ability to host international students – the latest and most severe escalation in the administration's battle against higher education institutions. As graduation ceremonies were under way on campus, lawyers for the university argued in federal court in Boston that the revocation announced by the government last week violates the US constitution's free speech and due process rights as well as procedural law regulating government actions. In a packed court room with several international students in attendance, Burroughs said she wanted to 'maintain the status quo' while the case makes its way through the courts. In court documents filed on Wednesday, the director of immigration services at the university's international office said that the administration's announcement has caused 'profound fear, concern, and confusion' among faculty and students. 'Many international students and scholars are reporting significant emotional distress that is affecting their mental health and making it difficult to focus on their studies,' she wrote. 'Some are afraid to attend their own graduation ceremonies this week out of fear that some immigration-related action will be taken against them.' Related: Trump administration halts Harvard's ability to enroll international students On Thursday, shortly before the hearing, the Department of Homeland Security formally notified Harvard that it would withdraw the university's certification under the federal Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), the system that allows universities to enroll non-US students. But the move, which gave the university 30 days to contest the revocation through an administrative process, indicated it was backtracking from the immediate revocation the administration announced last week. In a statement, the department's head, Kristi Noem, doubled down on her allegations against Harvard, which she has accused of 'pro-terrorist conduct', 'encouraging and allowing antisemitic and anti-American violence' and of 'coordinating with Chinese Communist Party officials on training that undermined American national security'. 'Harvard's refusal to comply with SEVP oversight was the latest evidence that it disdains the American people and takes for granted U.S. taxpayer benefits,' Noem added. If allowed to stand, the administration's action against Harvard would affect a quarter of the university's population: approximately 5,000 current students, as well as 2,000 recent graduates enrolled in optional practical training, a post-graduation work programme. Harvard maintains that the administration's decision is retaliation for the university's refusal to abide by a series of overly broad demands made by the Trump administration that would severely undermine the university's independence. The administration had demanded Harvard turn over information about its international students, including discipline records as well as student's addresses, contact information and details about their coursework. It announced the revocations after it said the university failed to comply. In April, the university became the first to sue the administration over billions in cuts to federally funded research – setting off a showdown with the White House, which earlier this week announced it would cancel all remaining government contracts with the university. In total, the administration has cut or frozen about $3bn in federal grants and contracts with Harvard. Those cuts have already upended crucial medical and scientific research initiatives, but the latest attack on international students had spread panic among thousands of current and incoming international students – with many seeking last minute transfers to other universities, canceling summer travel plans for fear of not being able to return, or reconsidering plans to study in the US altogether. Some foreign universities have also seized on the crisis, looking to recruit Harvard students away from the US. 'International students and scholars are tremendous assets that contribute to US preeminence in innovation, research, and economic strength,' said Fanta Aw, executive director and CEO of Nafsa, the Association of International Educators. 'Undermining their ability to study here is self-defeating. With these actions, the United States will alienate the very minds that fuel its success.'
Yahoo
a day ago
- General
- Yahoo
Fear on campus: Harvard's international students in ‘mass panic' over Trump move
Harvard's foreign students described an atmosphere of 'fear on campus' following an attempt by the Trump administration to ban international scholars at the oldest university in the US. On lush, grassy quads filled with tents and chairs ready for end-of-year graduation celebrations, international students said there was 'mass panic' after Thursday's shock announcement by the Department of Homeland Security. The move triggered cancelled flights home for the summer, scrambles for housing to stay in the US over the break, and even swift attempts to transfer schools. On Friday, Harvard sued for a 'blatant violation' of the US constitution and Allison Burroughs, a federal judge of the district of Massachusetts, temporarily blocked the White House from revoking Harvard's ability to enroll foreign students, who comprise an estimated 27% of the student body, or about 6,700 students. Genia Lukin, a third-year PhD candidate from Israel in Harvard's psychology department, found out during a lab meeting. She said: 'It was definitely a moment of: 'Oh wow, what?' Obviously, a lot of people are extremely anxious and extremely bewildered and this weird combination of this situation that just exploded out of the blue for most of the international students.' The 41-year-old added that she was in 'wait-and-see mode' following the injunction and had cancelled travel abroad with her husband for the foreseeable future. Said Lukin: 'The uncertainty is driving people crazy right now. What's going to happen? Can we complete our degrees remotely? I worked very hard to get into my program so losing the PhD in the middle where I'm a good way through would be pretty devastating.' But, fearful of repercussions following a nationwide crackdown on academics and student protesters, including the arrest and detention of local Tufts University PhD student, Rümeysa Öztürk, in nearby Somerville, in March, many other students and staff spoke on condition of anonymity. One 24-year-old Ukrainian freshman, who is a Harvard undergraduate during term time and returns to a war-torn country during holidays, said that she had delayed her scheduled flights next week back to her parents who are displaced in western Ukraine, unsure if she can get back into the US. 'I feel really shocked,' she said. 'If I leave, I'm not sure I'll get back in. I'm lucky, I have housing the whole summer, so if I need to stay I can. Not all my friends have that. Some people are talking about transferring to different schools, but the transfer window is basically shut now.' She added: 'Getting into Harvard is a big deal, it's transformative, but this is outside our control. It goes against logic, but things go against logic in America right now.' A Chinese visiting scholar from Peking University in Beijing, here for an 18-month research trip for her PhD, called the legal battle 'really, really scary' and described 'mass panic' among her international friends when the attempted ban was announced on Thursday. The 28-year-old woman said: 'We stayed up all night talking about our options, our plan Bs. I was going to go to the UK this summer because my professor has a position in Manchester. I'm a bit worried I won't be able to get back in. I have to go back to Beijing to finish my PhD, but a lot of students here had long-term plans to stay in America. Harvard is like a special light in the world. If something happens to Harvard it makes me frightened.' A Haitian master's student, who recently graduated, said a town hall organised by the university to talk to students about their fears had a waiting list of 100 people within minutes, and a campus-wide text chat 'blew up with hundreds of messages in an hour'. But she added that the strong statement by Alan Garber, Harvard's president, and the block by the federal judge made her 'hopeful'. She added: 'They've got our back. I have to trust that they want what is best for all of us.' A member of administrative staff, who lives on campus with international students and works to support them, added: 'It's horrific and almost certainly unlawful. There is a feeling of fear on campus. Normally, you just face typical, internal student problems, but when it is the outside world coming in it is hard to know how to help them.' She added that there was a 'misunderstanding that all international students are wealthy' and can afford to have cancelled or disrupted studies. 'I would say 50% of them need significant financial aid, and Harvard has a really robust system. They have already been so disrupted because of Covid. Maybe some students can transfer, but maybe they can't afford to go. And they have lost this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Poof, gone.' Garber said in a letter to the Harvard community: 'We condemn this unlawful and unwarranted action. It imperils futures of thousands of students and scholars across Harvard and serves as a warning to countless others at colleges and universities across the country who have come to America to pursue their education and fulfill their dreams.' The Guardian has contacted Harvard for comment. • This article was amended on 25 May 2025 because Rümeysa Öztürk was incorrectly described as an undergraduate at Tufts University; she is a PhD student.
Middle East Eye
2 days ago
- Politics
- Middle East Eye
Judge rules in favour of Harvard University keeping its international students
Harvard University on Thursday won a brief reprieve in its fight to continue enrolling international students after a federal judge upheld a block on a governmental order. US district judge Allison Burroughs ruled to uphold the terms of a temporary restraining order (TRO), which froze the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) revocation of the university's student and exchange visitor programme (SEVP) certification programme, the process that enables universities to enrol foreigners, and preserved the status of international students. The news came as Harvard's Class of 2025 was assembling for commencement exercises. The order grants relief to around 7,000 international students - a quarter of Harvard's student body - whose lives have been thrown into limbo over the last few weeks. 'Harvard will continue to take steps to protect the rights of our international students and scholars, members of our community who are vital to the University's academic mission and community - and whose presence here benefits our country immeasurably,' Harvard said in a public statement about Thursday's court decision. Burroughs indicated that she will issue a longer-term hold while litigation continues. This would enable international students, staff, and faculty to continue to study and work at the Ivy League school. The TRO will stay in place until a broader injunction is agreed upon. The next hearing has yet to be scheduled. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters Last Thursday, DHS told Harvard that its international students must either transfer to other institutions or face deportation, as its continued fight for academic autonomy faced another round of repercussions from the Trump administration. Harvard sued in response, and last Friday, a judge temporarily blocked the DHS's revocation of the university's SEVP programme. Trump administration backtracks Before the order, the Trump administration appeared to waver on its initial decertification, potentially on procedural grounds. The Department of Homeland Security said on Thursday it would now give Harvard University a 30-day response time to prove it meets the requirements of the SEVP programme. After 30 days, the DHS could still revoke Harvard's SEVP certification if it still claims that Harvard broke the law, unless a preliminary injunction is granted. The New York Times reported last week that the administration is poised to cut all remaining federal contracts with Harvard, which are estimated to be worth $100m. The two sides have been in a legal war for months now. The US State Department and DHS began cracking down on any pro-Palestinian sentiment expressed by student visa holders in the US after the nationwide campus protests in 2024 in support of Gaza. At the end of March, the Trump administration announced it was reviewing $9bn in federal funds and grants to Harvard. It said it would review more than $255.6m in current contracts and $8.7bn in grants spread over multiple years. The administration accused the university of failing to adequately protect Jewish students on campus from antisemitic discrimination and harassment, in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. 'Are they troublemakers?': Trump questions why Harvard has so many international students Read More » On 3 April, the Trump administration sent an initial list of demands to 'right these wrongs', as part of its crackdown on what it calls antisemitism on campuses across the US, referring to the widespread campus protests against Israel's war on Gaza. Then, on 11 April, the Federal Task Force to Combat Antisemitism sent Harvard an expanded list of demands. Harvard rejected the government's demands, which included reporting foreign students for code violations, reforming its governance and leadership, discontinuing its diversity, equity, and inclusion programmes, and changing its hiring and admission policies, especially for international students. In response to the list of demands, the institution took a stand against the Trump administration, saying in a letter, issued by Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan LLP and King & Spalding LLP, that 'The university will not surrender its independence or relinquish its constitutional rights'. In response, the Trump administration hit Harvard with a $2.3bn federal funding freeze, which represents 35.9 percent of Harvard's $6.4bn operating expenses. Then, the US Department of Health and Human Services said that it was terminating $60m in federal grants to the university, saying it failed to address antisemitic harassment and ethnic discrimination on campus. The Cambridge, Massachusetts-based institution has said it 'cannot absorb the entire cost' of the frozen grants, and that it was working with researchers to help them find alternative funding. It is also suing the Trump administration over its decision to cut grants. The Federal Task Force to Combat Antisemitism is made up of four government agencies, including the Department of Justice, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Education, and the US General Services Administration. The task force was set up in February following Trump's executive order, Additional Measures to Combat Anti-Semitism, signed at the end of January.
NDTV
3 days ago
- Business
- NDTV
As American Dreams Fade, How Asia Is Challenging US Supremacy In Education
Quick Read Summary is AI generated, newsroom reviewed. The Trump administration's crackdown on foreign students has led to uncertainty for 6,800 affected students. A judge temporarily blocked the ban on Harvard. Meanwhile, universities in Asia, like HKUST and those in Japan, are welcoming displaced students. Amid escalating tensions between the Trump administration and Ivy League universities, the US government had revoked the university's ability to enrol foreign students. The crackdown comes as a part of scrutiny of foreign students and to penalise universities not complying with federal policies and ideologies. However, US District Judge Allison Burroughs extended an order blocking the Trump administration from barring Harvard University from enrolling foreign students. It had already been paused since last week when the judge had issued a temporary restraining order. This back and forth has caught 6,800 international students in its crosshairs and has caused an impediment in their academic journey as they face visa uncertainty and potential deportation. Moreover, life has been on standby for these students who are still trying to figure out the way forward, whether to transfer to another American university to save their visas or wait till the matter clears up at Harvard. Amidst this, universities in Asia are taking proactive steps to support these displaced students. On Friday, Hong Kong Education Secretary Christine Choi called on universities in the Chinese city to welcome "outstanding students from all over the world". In an effort to better career prospects and retain global talent, Hong Kong has also introduced policies allowing full-time international undergraduates to take part-time jobs without restrictions. Hong Kong University of Science and Technology on Friday invited international students enrolled at Harvard, as well as anyone with offers to attend the elite school, to continue their studies at HKUST. "HKUST is extending this opportunity to ensure talented students can pursue their educational goals without disruption," it said in a statement. Other universities have also followed through and taken steps to assist foreign students currently in limbo in the US. Japan's Ministry of Education, led by Minister Toshiko Abe has officially encouraged domestic universities to admit students affected by the Trump administration, focussing on resuming education for those who were forced to pause their studies, per a report by the Times of India. Tokyo and Kyoto Universities have begun responding already. The former has options for temporary enrolment for displaced students, and they are also providing visa assistance and academic support. Kyoto University is planning to take in researchers who have been impacted by the crackdown. Its International Undergraduate Program (iUP), offers financial aid such as tuition waivers and monthly stipends. It is a 4.5 year program. As political dynamics change, Asia is stepping up to redefine the study-abroad landscape and to make a mark on it, reiterating and positioning itself as an upcoming and leading destination for higher education.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Which US university has the highest percentage of international students? Well, it's not Harvard!
Disrupted by Politics, Redirected by Opportunity: The New Global Map of Higher Education The ongoing legal battle between Harvard University and the Trump administration has reignited debate over the role of international students in U.S. higher education. U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs extended a court order barring federal authorities from blocking Harvard's enrollment of foreign students. The conflict began after the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), led by Secretary Kristi Noem, threatened to revoke the university's ability to admit international students. Harvard responded with a lawsuit, alleging that DHS failed to provide the legally required 30-day notice period. The pressure escalated when Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Director Todd Lyons sent a letter stating Harvard had 30 days to respond to accusations of fostering antisemitism and ties with the Chinese Communist Party. According to The New York Times , President Trump lashed out on social media, claiming "the best thing Harvard has going for it is that they have shopped around and found the absolute best judge (for them!)." He insisted the administration would 'in the end, WIN!' Harvard may be in the spotlight, but it's not alone. International students are a vital pillar of the US academic ecosystem—contributing not just diversity, but billions in revenue and research strength. In this context, understanding which universities have the highest international student representation sheds light on the broader stakes of this legal battle. Here is a breakdown of 10 US universities with the highest percentage of international students (undergraduate and graduate combined) as of Fall 2023, according to NCES and Carnegie Classification: University Total students % International Illinois Tech 6,571 51% Carnegie Mellon 14,517 44% Stevens Tech 7,461 42% Northeastern 29,738 40% New School 8,725 40% Columbia 28,756 40% Johns Hopkins 16,830 39% NYU 49,847 37% Clark University 3,830 34% University of Rochester 10,109 33% Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Carnegie Classification Other institutions with international student populations ranging from 27 to 32 percent include Harvard University (28%), Caltech (32%), University of Chicago (31%), Boston University (30%), MIT (30%), USC (28%), WashU (28%), Penn (27%), and Brandeis (27%). by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với sàn môi giới tin cậy IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo These universities rely significantly on their diverse international communities, which contribute not only to campus culture but also to their financial sustainability. As Harvard and the Trump administration clash over autonomy and international access, universities across the country are watching closely. With billions of dollars and global prestige at stake, and as other nations ramp up recruitment efforts, the future of international education in the US remains uncertain—and increasingly contested. How international students contribute to the US economy and education International students do far more than diversify classrooms. As reported by The New York Times, over 1.1 million international students contributed $43.8 billion to the US economy during the 2023–24 academic year. This spending supports housing, books, tuition, and over 378,000 jobs. Mirka Martel, head of research at the Institute of International Education (IIE), told The New York Times that international students often pay 1.5 times more in tuition than US students. "Their tuition dollars help subsidize lower costs for domestic students," Martel explained. Maureen Martin, Harvard's director of immigration services, was quoted by The New York Times as saying that the administration's actions created "profound fear, concern, and confusion. " Other countries are seizing the opportunity Hong Kong has been quick to respond to the challenges faced by international students amid the U.S. visa restrictions and the Harvard row. The city's Education Bureau has urged universities to introduce facilitation measures to support displaced students and protect their rights. Leading institutions like the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), City University of Hong Kong (CityU), and The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) are offering streamlined admissions, academic support, and scholarships to ensure smooth transitions for affected students. Hong Kong's strong infrastructure, English-medium instruction, and strategic position as a cultural and academic bridge between East and West make it an increasingly attractive alternative destination. Japan is also stepping up, with the Ministry of Education encouraging universities to accommodate students displaced by the U.S. visa crackdown. Top universities such as the University of Tokyo and Kyoto University have expressed willingness to temporarily accept these students, providing programs designed for those with little to no Japanese language proficiency. Initiatives like Kyoto University's International Undergraduate Program offer financial support including tuition waivers and scholarships, highlighting Japan's growing commitment to international education and academic globalization. Beyond Hong Kong and Japan, other countries in Asia and around the world are capitalizing on the shifting landscape of global education. Nations like Australia, the UK, Sweden, Finland, and Singapore have seen surges in international student interest due to their welcoming visa policies and stable environments. Additionally, countries such as Malaysia, South Korea, and China are implementing targeted incentives—like simplified visa processes and post-graduation work opportunities—to attract more international students, positioning themselves as new hubs for global higher education. How Trump's education policy is reshaping US universities President Donald Trump's education policies, implemented since his return to office in 2025, are significantly reshaping US universities through a combination of executive orders and funding leverage aimed at curbing perceived ideological biases and enhancing federal oversight. A key policy is the executive order issued on his first day, which targets diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, labeling them as potential civil rights violations and prompting investigations into universities with DEI programs. This has led institutions like Columbia and Yale to reassess or scale back such programs to avoid federal funding cuts, with Columbia losing $400 million in grants due to non-compliance. Additionally, Trump's push to reform the accreditation system seeks to prioritize workforce-oriented education and reduce costs, pressuring accreditors to focus on student outcomes like graduation rates over ideological frameworks. This has sparked concerns among university leaders about academic freedom, with over 400 presidents signing a statement condemning government overreach, fearing it could stifle innovation and intellectual diversity across campuses. The administration's aggressive stance on international students and research funding further disrupts higher education. Policies like the revocation of Harvard's ability to enroll international students for the 2025-2026 academic year, citing issues like antisemitism and foreign influence, have sent shockwaves through institutions reliant on the $44 billion international students contribute annually to the US economy. Universities such as MIT, NYU, and the University of Hawaii are bracing for financial strain as visa restrictions and funding freezes, including a cap on National Institutes of Health indirect costs at 15%, threatening research programs. These actions, coupled with threats to dismantle the Department of Education and shift funding to state control, have created uncertainty, with many universities hesitant to openly resist due to fears of retribution. While some, like Harvard, have pursued legal challenges, others are quietly adapting, potentially reshaping the cultural and academic landscape of US higher education for years to come. Ready to empower your child for the AI era? Join our program now! Hurry, only a few seats left.
