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Time of India
7 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Harvard to court: Trump administration cut research grants over politics, urges judge to restore funding
Harvard alleges White House retaliation in $2.6 billion federal research grant cuts Harvard University on Monday asked a federal judge to grant summary judgment in its lawsuit against the administration of President Donald Trump, arguing that the White House illegally and politically motivated the cancellation of billions of dollars in federal research grants. The University contends that the Trump administration's actions violate federal law and the First Amendment, and that the cuts were part of a broader campaign to punish the institution for resisting government demands. The legal filing, submitted ahead of a key September deadline, urges the court to act swiftly before the university permanently loses access to the frozen funds. Harvard stated that it must liquidate all financial obligations under the canceled grants by September 3, 2025. After that, the government is likely to argue that it cannot reinstate the funding, making a quick ruling essential. White House-directed cuts despite agency concerns According to a 62-page court filing reviewed by The Harvard Crimson, Harvard's attorneys argued that the cuts were imposed under White House direction, bypassing the objections of federal agencies. The university cited internal emails, agency memos, and sworn declarations that, for the first time publicly, revealed how termination letters were reviewed by the White House and how agencies were given strict deadlines to halt grant activity. Harvard's legal team claimed in the filing that agencies were forced to issue "boilerplate termination letters" under "arbitrary deadlines" despite internal warnings about national security and scientific damage. In one instance, the Department of Defense canceled a Harvard-led project focused on detecting biological threats, even after Pentagon staff warned it posed "grave and immediate harm to national security. " As reported by The Harvard Crimson, a Defense Department official described the canceled project as a "leap-ahead capability" and noted that Harvard's team was "top performing" in the field. The official's plea to preserve the research was ultimately overruled by the Secretary of Defense, according to Harvard's filing. Retaliation claim follows rejection of government demands The lawsuit stems from an April 21, 2025 action by Harvard, which came after the federal government imposed a $2.2 billion freeze in research grants. That freeze followed Harvard's public refusal to comply with a series of White House demands, including a crackdown on campus protests, dismantling diversity programming, and altering hiring and admissions policies. Since then, the Trump administration has canceled an additional $450 million in grants and disqualified the university from future federal funding. Harvard declined to seek a temporary injunction but instead requested a fast-track resolution. "The necessity of an injunction is demonstrated by the Government's continued attempt to punish Harvard during the pendency of this case by whatever mechanisms it can," Harvard's attorneys wrote, as reported by The Harvard Crimson. Antisemitism cited publicly, but Harvard points to reforms Federal officials have cited campus antisemitism and ideological bias as reasons for the funding cuts. However, Harvard countered that it had already taken disciplinary action, restricted protest activity, pledged a viewpoint diversity initiative, and released a 311-page task force report. According to The Harvard Crimson, Harvard has required each of its schools to submit an "action plan" by June 2025 to address the report's findings. In a parallel case, Harvard is also suing the Department of Homeland Security over efforts to revoke its ability to host international students—threatening the legal status of nearly 7,000 students. That lawsuit remains active following a court-ordered temporary block. President Trump appeared to reference the dispute directly, telling reporters on May 28, "Every time they fight, they lose another $250 million… Harvard wants to fight. They want to show how smart they are and they're getting their ass kicked," as quoted by The Harvard Crimson. Harvard cited the remark in its court filing as further evidence of retaliation. Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!
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Business Standard
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Standard
US bans Harvard from enrolling foreign students: What it means for Indians
In a dramatic escalation, the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) revoked Harvard University's certification to host international students on Thursday, a move that could displace thousands and jeopardise the future of one of the world's most renowned universities. The decision, announced on May 22, 2025, prevents Harvard from issuing the Form I-20—a document required for international students to obtain or maintain their F-1 or M-1 visa status. Without it, students already at Harvard may be forced to transfer out or risk losing their legal right to stay in the US. Harvard's official figures show that 788 students from India are currently enrolled at the university. In most years, between 500 and 800 Indian students and scholars are part of the institution. They too will be impacted. International students make up a large portion of Harvard's community, with nearly 6,800 enrolled, mostly in graduate programmes. DHS accuses Harvard of non-compliance In a letter made public on Thursday, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem claimed the university refused to provide information about its foreign student population. The letter accused Harvard of 'perpetuating an unsafe campus environment that is hostile to Jewish students, promotes pro-Hamas sympathies and employs racist diversity, equity and inclusion policies.' Noem said the university could regain its certification if it complied with a list of demands within 72 hours. These include disciplinary records of international students and recordings of recent protest activity. Harvard says move is unlawful Jason A Newton, a university spokesperson, said in a written statement, Harvard remained 'fully committed to maintaining Harvard's ability to host international students and scholars, who hail from more than 140 countries and enrich the university — and this nation — immeasurably.' While Harvard has not publicly disclosed whether it will challenge the decision in court, its student-run paper, The Harvard Crimson, said legal action is expected. What SEVP decertification means Losing certification under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) means Harvard can no longer enrol new international students, nor can it support those already in the US on study visas. 'Current international students will need to transfer out of Harvard or risk losing their ability to remain in the United States lawfully,' wrote students Samuel A. Church, Cam N. Srivastava, and Grace E. Yoon in *The Harvard Crimson*. Bhuvanyaa Vijay, an immigration attorney at the Law Office of Johanna M. Herrero and a graduate of Harvard Law School, said the outlook for incoming international students is bleak unless there's a reversal. 'It is very simple: if the status is not reverted to original, then Harvard cannot have international students in the coming year,' Vijay said. She explained that the revocation doesn't immediately void existing student visas, but the DHS is likely to offer a limited window for action. 'They did not say 15 days or 60 days or two days — nothing,' Vijay said. 'When we get such clients, we tell them to 'Hurry up,' and within 15 days at best, try to transfer.' Graduation unaffected for now Students who have completed their degree requirements this semester can still graduate, said Nicole Hallett, an immigration rights professor at the University of Chicago Law School. 'If students have completed all of their graduation requirements, they should still be able to graduate, so that shouldn't be an issue,' she said. But those planning to join Harvard later this year may have no path forward. Optional Practical Training at risk For graduates on Optional Practical Training (OPT), the decision presents a particular challenge. Jeff Joseph, former vice president of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, told The Harvard Crimson that transferring schools would automatically end their work rights. 'If you're in a period of Optional Practical Training after your graduation and you transfer to a school, that serves to automatically terminate your work authorisation,' Joseph said. A broader crackdown on Harvard This decision follows a string of actions targeting the university. In April, Harvard refused to comply with federal demands to restrict pro-Palestinian protests and drop diversity-related initiatives. Since then, multiple agencies have frozen grant funding to the university, disrupting research projects. Trump has also suggested removing Harvard's tax-exempt status, which could affect its ability to raise money from donors. The DHS decision takes effect from the 2025-2026 academic year. According to Noem, unless Harvard complies with the federal demands, international students will not be allowed to join the university in the upcoming term.
Time of India
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Trump administration slashes another $60M from Harvard's funding over antisemitism claims
Trump administration slashes additional $60M in grants to Harvard amid antisemitism, discrimination allegations—third cut in two months, bringing total to $2.7 billion. (AP Photo) The US Department of Health and Human Services ( HHS ) cut an additional $60 million in multi-year grants to Harvard University on May 19, 2025, citing ongoing concerns of antisemitic harassment and racial discrimination on campus. This marks the third major funding cut directed at the university by the Trump administration in just two months, bringing the total value of rescinded federal funding to $2.7 billion. The latest cut was announced on X late Monday evening, with HHS stating it is 'taking decisive action to uphold civil rights in higher education.' According to reporting by The Harvard Crimson, this round of cuts applies only to grants administered through HHS and follows a $450 million cut announced earlier in May and a sweeping $2.2 billion reduction made in April by eight federal agencies. Federal agencies escalate scrutiny over discrimination concerns The Trump administration's campaign against Harvard initially focused on allegations of campus antisemitism but has since expanded to include accusations of racial discrimination, particularly against white students and faculty. As reported by The Harvard Crimson, a letter related to the $450 million cut accused Harvard and the Harvard Law Review of engaging in discriminatory practices based on race. In its public statements, the Trump administration has emphasized its commitment to 'merit-based' admissions and hiring practices, criticizing Harvard for what it sees as preferential treatment based on race. A federal investigation into Harvard's hiring practices was also launched, citing the university's increasing faculty diversity as a potential indicator of bias, according to The Harvard Crimson. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo Retaliation or civil rights enforcement? Legal battle intensifies In response to the first two rounds of cuts, Harvard has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, arguing that the funding reductions are unconstitutional. The university claims the actions violate the First Amendment and amount to retaliation for defending institutional autonomy. As of May 20, Harvard has not confirmed whether it received a formal letter regarding the latest $60 million cut, according to The Harvard Crimson. Harvard President Alan M. Garber issued a pointed statement in April condemning the administration's actions. The White House responded with threats to revoke Harvard's tax-exempt status, reduce research funding, and impose stricter visa policies on international students. Emergency funding attempts to cushion blow Garber had announced that the university's central administration would allocate $250 million from a special fund to support research projects halted by federal stop-work orders. In a message to the Harvard community, he acknowledged that Harvard could not 'absorb the entire cost' of the funding losses, as reported by The Harvard Crimson. The series of funding cuts marks one of the most aggressive federal interventions into higher education in recent US history, signaling a deepening rift between the Trump administration and elite academic institutions. Invest in Their Tomorrow, Today: Equip your child with the essential AI skills for a future brimming with possibilities | Join Now
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Joseph Nye, celebrated US political scientist who coined 'soft power,' dies
Joseph Nye, the US political scientist who coined the term 'soft power,' died aged 88. Nye served under former US President Bill Clinton as an assistant secretary of defense, but was best known for his academic work: He was 'one of the most influential thinkers in contemporary international relations theory,' The Harvard Crimson noted. Nye helped develop the theory of neoliberalism and aided diplomatic efforts to avoid nuclear escalation between the US and the USSR during the Cold War. His idea that a country's non-military clout on the world stage — such as Hollywood films promoting US values, or the BBC World Service as an advert for Britain — could represent 'soft power' is a crucial lens for understanding the modern world.
Daily Mail
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Excruciating moment Harvard president is confronted with evidence of overwhelming liberal bias among professors
The President of Harvard University was left visibly uncomfortable after being confronted with the vast number of his staff who are liberal. In an interview with The Wall Street Journal's editor in chief Emma Tucker, Alan Garber was asked about findings that said the faculty at the school was largely liberal. Tucker cited a 2023 survey by The Harvard Crimson that found 77 percent of the faculty was liberal in her questioning. In response, he said: 'One thing I can tell you is it's nothing deliberate about our hiring policies or our tenure policies. 'I think there are certain fields with people with more liberal or left-wing points of view feel more welcome. 'It may be that we don't have as many conservatives as we should have. Part of it also may be that people don't feel comfortable speaking out when they disagree.' Garber also contended that the school has 'had some real problems that we should address'. He said that those included 'perceived lack of ideological diversity' among staff and students. It is the latest in an ongoing battle between the Trump Administration and the Ivy League school, with officials saying that they would now be cutting grants. Trump has been critical of universities that allowed pro-Palestinian demonstrations to run amok. Administration officials have also taken issue with what they consider to be lack of diversity - with too few conservatives on staff. A Education Department official said on Monday that the school would not be eligible for new grants. Research grants would be the ones impacted - not federal student aid, which funnels through universities before providing students with financial relief. Trump previously froze $2.2 billion in federal grants to Harvard and said he's looking into stripping the Ivy of its tax-exempt status. Harvard has refused to meet a series of demands issued by the administration, pushing back on the requests. Garber has previously said he won't bend to the government. The university sued last month to overturn the funding freeze, pushing back against the government's 'sweeping and intrusive demands.' The demands include that Harvard make broad government leadership changes, change its admissions policy and audit its faculty and student body. Harvard´s lawsuit said the funding freeze violated the school´s First Amendment rights and the statutory provisions of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. The school in Cambridge, Massachusetts, has an endowment of $53 billion, the largest in the country. Across the university, federal money accounted for 10.5% of revenue in 2023, not counting financial aid such as Pell grants and student loans. That accounts for more than half the $109 billion spent on research at universities, with most of the rest coming from college endowments, state and local governments and nonprofits. Others being pushed to make changes include Columbia University, the University of Pennsylvania and Cornell University, all of who have had their funds cut. As the administration continues to wage its war against the school, Kristi Noem also said last month that the school would lost its ability to enroll foreign students should it fail to comply with the demands. Noem also announced the termination of two DHS grants totaling over $2.7 million to Harvard. The former governor of South Dakota wrote a letter to Harvard demanding records on what she called the 'illegal and violent activities' of Harvard's foreign student visa holders by April 30.
