A federal judge has granted a preliminary injunction that will allow Harvard University to continue hosting international students amidst an ongoing dispute with the Trump administration. Photo by Wikimedia Commons U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs delivered the ruling. This ruling permits the university to continue their international student program while the case continues to be heard.
Earlier this month, former President Donald Trump claimed victory after coming within reach of a deal to thrive Harvard. This recent legal victory comes on the heels of a broader fight against the administration’s dangerous policies. The unusual case largely zeroes in on the Trump administration’s controversial and fraught attempts to drive down the enrollment of foreign students in U.S. schools. This has raised alarm bells with many educators and the global education community.
Judge Burroughs’ order provides the protection necessary for Harvard to welcome potentially thousands of new foreign students. This decision underscores the importance of international education in fostering academic cooperation and cultural exchange. The decision further points to ongoing tensions between educational institutions and federal policies, especially those established during the Trump administration.
Standing in front of reporters on the White House lawn, President Trump sounded hopeful about the ongoing negotiations with Harvard.
“Many people have been asking what is going on with Harvard University and their largescale improprieties that we have been addressing, looking for a solution. We have been working closely with Harvard, and it is very possible that a Deal will be announced over the next week or so.” – Donald Trump
The difficulties of this case are set against a dramatic legal and political landscape for the Trump administration. U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer just issued a landmark ruling. He concluded that Trump had broken the law when he sent troops, in defiance of California Governor Gavin Newsom, to America’s most populous state. Panic, a federal appeals court intervened and issued a stay of the lower court’s ruling. With this decision the dialogue over military deployment in Los Angeles remains very much alive.
The continuing litigation has ignited new discussions over federal supremacy and state sovereignty. This debate especially asked how domestic military resources should be used. The case in California is one of several legal challenges that have been filed since spring 2017, as the administration has taken a hard line on immigration.
Aside from these legal issues, Trump has come under criticism for his foreign policy approaches, especially towards Iran. During a recent press conference, he was asked about potential parallels between a possible U.S. attack on Iran and the controversial invasion of Iraq in 2002.
On stage, Trump doubled down on his anti-Iraq message. He strongly insisted that there were never any weapons of mass destruction in the country and that he has opposed the war from the start.
“I was very much opposed to Iraq,” Trump claimed. “I said it loud and clear… but I guess I got a lot of publicity. If you’re going to go in, keep the oil.” – Donald Trump
His comments are symptomatic of a larger growing skepticism, even among the Pentagon elite, about the effectiveness of such military interventions. He continued, making the case that the original justifications for going into Iraq were inaccurate and wrong.
“It turns out that all of the reasons for the war were blatantly wrong. All this for nothing!” – Donald Trump
Trump’s remarks included an assertion about Iran’s nuclear capabilities, warning that they could soon develop nuclear weapons if not addressed swiftly.
“I think within a matter of weeks, or certainly within a matter months, they were going to be able to have a nuclear weapon, and we can’t have that.” – Donald Trump
Even more audaciously, he denied allegations leveled by Tulsi Gabbard. He called her his director of national intelligence and noted her statement that there was no proof that Iran was building nuclear weapons. Yet Trump’s assertions are illustrative of the Trumpist hardline approach to foreign policy that has still permeated our conversations about national security even to this day.
In addition to these geopolitical issues, Trump has indicated plans regarding immigration policy aimed at assisting farms in hiring practices. As a part of comprehensive immigration reform, he has proposed holding farms accountable for their hiring practices.
Trump’s historic disdain for European allies is back in the limelight. He further forthrightly asserted that Europe would be of little assistance in any prospective war between Iran and Israel.
“Europe is not going to be able to help with this one.” – Donald Trump
Trump’s administration has been under a microscope due to ongoing legal battles and increasing international tension. The administration is already drawing intense ire for its domestic agenda and foreign adventures.