Press Release  AG Campbell Leads Effort To Uphold Court Order Blocking Trump Administration From Unlawfully Banning International Students From Attending Harvard

Boston — Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell today led a coalition of 21 attorneys general today in filing 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 University. 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. 

“If the Trump Administration is permitted to abruptly end Harvard’s international student program, there is nothing stopping them from doing this to students and universities across the country,” said AG Campbell. “Universities must not be forced to sacrifice their academic independence, and international students should not be punished because their university does not succumb to the whims of the White House. I urge the court to swiftly reject this attack on our universities and affirm the District Court’s order.”   

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 illegal 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, AG Campbell 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' global competitiveness. For example, during the 2024-2025 school year, the coalition states hosted 631,291 international students who supported more than 200,000 jobs and contributed approximately $26.8 billion annually to the economy through tuition, living expenses, and related spending. 

AG Campbell 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 AG Campbell in submitting the amicus brief are the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Hawai'i, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington.     

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