[By Guancha Observer Network, Lin Chenli] According to reports by Politico, the South China Morning Post and other media outlets, local time on May 29, US Federal District Judge Allison Burroughs said that she would "indefinitely" extend the injunction against the Trump administration's policy of preventing Harvard University from admitting foreign students, requiring "maintaining the status quo" and allowing Harvard University to continue to admit international students with visas.

On the 22nd of this month, the US Department of Homeland Security announced the revocation of Harvard University's Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) qualification, prohibiting the university from admitting international students. On the 23rd, Harvard University sued the Trump administration, stating in its complaint that this policy was "blatantly unconstitutional." That day, Burroughs issued a temporary restraining order to halt the Trump administration's actions and scheduled a hearing for the 29th to hear further arguments.

Shortly before the hearing on the 29th, the Trump administration submitted a letter to the court stating that it no longer intended to immediately enforce the decision to revoke Harvard University's qualification to admit international students, but would grant a 30-day grace period, requesting that Harvard University provide evidence during this period to explain why the government should not honor the ban on revoking its qualification to admit international students.

Local time on May 27, Harvard University students protested against the sanctions recently imposed by Trump. AP News

Burroughs stated at the hearing that this letter was not sufficient to convince her that the Trump administration would not take other actions during this period, such as delaying the visa approval for Harvard students. The existing temporary restraining order provided some protection for international students who might feel anxious about coming to the United States, but some students' concerns could not be resolved through court orders or the so-called "30-day grace period."

Burroughs ruled that the grace period proposed by the Trump administration did not eliminate the necessity for the court to issue an injunction to prevent the government from taking action against Harvard. She indefinitely extended the previously issued temporary restraining order, requiring the status quo to be maintained during the progress of the case, and instructed both parties' lawyers to negotiate over suspending the revocation of student visas.

"I know you think an injunction is unnecessary, but I believe it is necessary," Burroughs said to a lawyer for the Trump administration. "I don't think the injunction needs to be overly harsh, but I want to ensure everything remains unchanged."

Retired Cornell University immigration law professor Loleh said that this injunction would foreshadow a final favorable judgment for Harvard University. However, he added that the Trump administration would certainly appeal and delay the matter, and the overall stance taken by the government might continue to prevent students from staying in the United States.

"Even if Harvard wins the lawsuit, Trump may still win the battle over immigration," Loleh said.

Since Trump began his second term in January, thousands of students' SEVP certifications have been terminated and their visas revoked. Meanwhile, the Trump administration has frozen $2.2 billion in grants and a $60 million contract for Harvard University, and is taking action to cancel its remaining contracts.

On May 28, Trump continued to pressure Harvard, saying that Harvard should set a cap of 15% for foreign students and must disclose its list of foreign students to the government. This proposal would halve the number of foreign students at Harvard.

After the hearing on May 29 regarding Harvard's lawsuit against the Trump administration's ban on international student admissions, Burroughs will also hear Harvard University's lawsuit against the Trump administration's freeze on grants. The trial for this case is expected to begin in July. She previously handled a major affirmative action lawsuit against Harvard and made a ruling in favor of Harvard in that case.

This article is an exclusive contribution from the Guancha Observer Network and cannot be reprinted without permission.

Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7510039176209793546/

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