In a landmark decision, a federal judge in California has halted the Trump administration’s sweeping crackdown on international students. U.S. District Judge Jeffrey White ruled that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) acted "arbitrarily and capriciously" in attempting to strip the immigration status of thousands of students flagged in a database tied to campus activism, particularly pro-Palestinian protests. The nationwide injunction protects these students from deportation under the contested policy.
Broader Impact on Elite U.S. Campuses
The ruling arrives amid an escalating campaign by the Trump administration accusing top universities of fostering antisemitism, political dissent and foreign influence. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem announced the termination of Harvard University’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification, barring the Ivy League institution from admitting new international students for the 2025–2026 academic year. Existing students—nearly 6,800 in 2024–2025—face a December deadline to transfer or risk losing legal status. Harvard condemned the action as illegal retaliation, while the administration froze about $3 billion in federal grants and threatened similar moves against other institutions, including Columbia University.
Hong Kong SAR Universities Step In
As uncertainty mounts in the United States, universities in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region are opening their doors to displaced students. The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and the University of Hong Kong have launched special programs to welcome those affected, offering a lifeline for scholars seeking continuity and stability.
This legal victory not only safeguards student mobility but also highlights the shifting geography of global higher education. For young global citizens, entrepreneurs and changemakers, the decision underscores the importance of resilient networks and diverse pathways in an ever-changing world.
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U.S. judge halts Trump's sweeping crackdown on international students
cgtn.com
