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Coalition Argues the Trump Administration’s Attacks on International Students and Universities Threatens States’ Economic Prosperity and Global Competitiveness
BALTIMORE, MD – Attorney General Anthony G. Brown and a coalition of 21 attorneys general today filed an amicus brief urging the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit to affirm the preliminary injunction granted by the U.S. District Court for Massachusetts, blocking President Trump’s Proclamation that banned international students from entering the United States if they planned to attend Harvard.
President Trump issued this Proclamation after the District Court previously blocked his effort to terminate Harvard’s ability to enroll, educate, and employ international students through its Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). In their brief, the attorneys general argue that the federal government’s attempt to ban international students from attending Harvard is a clear effort to instill fear and punish students and academics for expressing disagreement with the administration’s policies.
“The Trump administration is targeting Harvard but could easily direct this unlawful policy toward any university,” said Attorney General Brown. “We stand with Harvard and the international students whose diversity strengthens our communities and colleges.”
On May 22, the Trump administration sent a letter to Harvard indicating it had revoked the school’s SEVP certification effective immediately. The revocation would prevent international students and academics from completing their studies at Harvard and potentially strip them of their lawful immigration status. After Harvard sued the administration for its unlawful efforts, the District Court granted the university a preliminary injunction blocking the administration’s action while the case proceeds. The administration attempted to circumvent that order by issuing a sweeping Proclamation suspending entry to the United States for any international student studying at Harvard on certain education visas.
In the brief, Attorney General Brown and the coalition argue that barring international students from attending Harvard threatens states’ academic institutions, economic prosperity, and global leadership in education and scientific innovation. They argue these harms extend beyond Harvard, as international students make considerable economic, social, and cultural contributions at universities across the country that enhance the United States’s global competitiveness.
Attorney General Brown and the coalition urge the court to consider the broader impacts of permitting the Trump administration to target international students and punish academic institutions for their viewpoints. They argue that it sends a chilling message to students and academics around the world that should they choose to work or study in the United States, they risk having their studies or career abruptly ended, and could even face detention and deportation, at the whims of the federal government.
In submitting the brief, the coalition is asking the court to affirm the preliminary injunction granted by the District Court blocking the Trump administration’s unlawful actions as the case continues.
Joining Attorney General Brown in submitting the amicus brief are the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Hawaiʻi, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington.
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