Immigration
Blocked By Trump’s Travel Ban, One Iranian Student Wonders If She Will Ever Make It to Harvard
Rozhan Rasti was admitted to Harvard’s Class of 2029. But she can’t enter the United States — and so far, no lawyers have taken up her case against the proclamation that’s keeping her far from campus.
HKS Cancels Contingency Plan Allowing International Students To Study Online, Citing Low Demand
The Harvard Kennedy School quietly abandoned the launch of HKS Global – a proposed contingency plan offering online classes for international students – while continuing to offer enrollment options in Canada.
Trump Admin Asks Judge To Dismiss Harvard’s Lawsuit Against Threats to International Students
Lawyers for the federal government on Friday moved to dismiss Harvard’s lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s attempts to prevent the University from hosting international students.
DHS Says It Will Not Use May 22 Letter To Revoke Harvard’s SEVP Certification
The Department of Homeland Security will not enforce its May 22 letter revoking Harvard’s certification to host international students, according to a Wednesday court filing — but a longer revocation process remains on the table.
Cambridge City Council Strengthens Sanctuary City Ordinance
The Council voted unanimously to tighten the city’s Welcoming Community Ordinance, a 40-year-old policy limiting cooperation between the Cambridge Police Department and federal law enforcement on immigration-related matters.
Cambridge Plans To File Amicus Brief Supporting Harvard in Lawsuit Over International Students
The City of Cambridge plans to file an amicus brief supporting Harvard’s lawsuit against attempts by President Donald Trump and the Department of Homeland Security to revoke its ability to enroll international students.
Harvard Will Turn Over I-9 Forms for Most University Employees in Response to DHS Inquiry
Harvard will turn over I-9 forms for nearly all employees in response to a subpoena and inspection by the Department of Homeland Security, the University’s human resources office wrote in an email to current and recent employees on Tuesday afternoon.
State Department Launches Investigation Into Harvard’s Participation in J-1 Visa Program
The United States State Department launched an investigation on Wednesday into Harvard’s compliance with the Exchange Visitor Program, which allows universities to sponsor short-term J-1 visas for international instructors, researchers, and certain students.
Trial in AAUP Lawsuit Concludes With Clash Over First Amendment Rights of Noncitizens
Closing arguments for a faculty group’s lawsuit against the Trump administration’s immigration policies concluded on Monday, leaving the judge to sort through evidence from the two-week trial and dozens of sealed records before making a final ruling.
In AAUP Trial, State Dept. Official Says Criticizing Israel Could Be Grounds for Visa Revocation
A senior State Department official testified Friday that some claims and phrases common to pro-Palestine campus advocacy — including criticism of the state of Israel and calls for universities to divest from Israel — all “could be” grounds for revoking a noncitizen’s visa.
DHS Has Shifted Focus to Immigration Cases Since Trump’s Election, Officials Say in AAUP Trial
Three Department of Homeland Security officials testified Tuesday that their department had noticeably shifted its focus from enforcing criminal laws to addressing immigration cases in the months since President Donald Trump’s election.
Harvard AAUP Suit Mired in Dispute Over Government Documents as Trial Nears End
A Harvard faculty group’s lawsuit over the Trump administration’s immigration policies entered its final week of trial on Monday. But as the trial inches closer to its conclusion, it has become mired in a clash over what evidence the government is required to turn over.
As Trial Begins in AAUP Lawsuit, Federal Lawyers Argue ‘Ideological Deportation’ Policy Does Not Exist
As opening arguments began in a lawsuit filed by the American Association of University Professors against the Trump administration, lawyers for the two parties clashed over First Amendment protections for noncitizens.
Harvard Staff Warn International Students of Airport Searches, Social Media Screening
At an information session with more than 500 attendees, Harvard staff told international students to expect tight screening at Boston Logan International Airport and keep a careful handle on their internet presence.
Embassy Cited Nonexistent Law To Deny Incoming Harvard Student’s Visa
A United States embassy in South Asia denied an incoming Harvard College freshman their visa on Tuesday, citing a nonexistent section of the Immigration and Nationality Act.
Trump Administration Appeals Preliminary Injunction Blocking Entry Ban on Harvard Visa Holders
Lawyers for federal agencies on Friday appealed a judge’s temporary block on Donald Trump’s proclamation banning travelers from entering the United States on Harvard-sponsored F and J visas, sending the case to the First Circuit Court of Appeals.
HMS Researcher Kseniia Petrova Indicted on 3 Criminal Counts
Kseniia Petrova, a Harvard Medical School researcher who was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement in February, was indicted by a federal grand jury on Wednesday on three criminal counts.
Judge Issues Preliminary Injunction Blocking Trump’s Entry Ban on International Harvard Students
A federal judge issued a preliminary injunction to halt President Donald Trump’s June 4 proclamation banning travelers from entering the United States on Harvard-sponsored F and J visas.
Following Judge’s Order, Federal Agencies Tell Staff Not To Reject Harvard Visa Applicants
The Trump administration told a federal court on Monday that it has directed consulates and embassies not to base decisions for Harvard visa applicants on its May 22 revocation of Harvard’s ability to host international students.
Judge Extends Block on Harvard Entry Ban Until Next Week, Waits To Rule on Preliminary Injunction
A federal judge extended her halt on President Donald Trump’s entry ban on holders of Harvard-sponsored visas until next Monday at a hearing where lawyers for Harvard and the federal government sparred over whether the ban is constitutional.
Trump Admin Asks Judge To Let Trump’s Entry Ban on Harvard International Students Move Forward
The government asked a judge to vacate her temporary block on President Donald Trump’s proclamation banning international students from entering the United States on Harvard-sponsored visas in a memorandum submitted early Saturday morning.
After Trump’s Proclamation, International Harvard Affiliates Were Held at Logan Airport. Some Were Turned Away.
A Friday court filing by Harvard International Office director of immigration services Maureen Martin documented how Harvard affiliates — including an Israeli professor, a CEO, and students and researchers from India, China, and Germany — were turned back by consulates and at Boston Logan.
Harvard, Federal Government Quarrel Over Preliminary Injunction Terms in International Students Lawsuit
The government objected to a proposed pause on its second attempt to revoke Harvard’s authorization to host international students and said it should not be required to disclose its guidance to agencies on how to comply with the preliminary injunction.
Judge Orders Release of HMS Researcher Kseniia Petrova from Federal Custody
A federal judge ordered that Kseniia Petrova — a Harvard Medical School researcher who was detained by Immigrations and Customs Enforcement in February – be released from criminal custody on Thursday.
Cambridge City Council Votes To Strengthen Sanctuary Ordinance Amid Trump’s Immigration Crackdown
The Cambridge City Council voted to strengthen restrictions on local police collaboration with federal immigration enforcement on Monday, citing “increasingly aggressive federal actions.”