Pennsylvania Colleges Back Harvard: Battling Federal Restrictions on International Students

🎓 The Growing Clash Over International Students in U.S. Higher Education

In the evolving landscape of American higher education, a significant legal battle has emerged, pitting prestigious universities against federal policies aimed at restricting international student enrollment. At the center is Harvard University, which faced a dramatic revocation of its Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in May 2025. This action, part of broader tensions under the Trump administration, threatened to upend the lives of thousands of international students and scholars. Pennsylvania's own academic powerhouses—the University of Pennsylvania (Penn), Bryn Mawr College, and Swarthmore College—have stepped forward in solidarity, signing an amicus brief to support Harvard's defense. This collective stance underscores the critical role international students play in enriching campuses, driving research, and bolstering the economy.

To understand this development, it's essential to grasp what SEVP certification entails. Administered by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), SEVP allows certified institutions to enroll nonimmigrant students on F-1 academic visas or J-1 exchange visitor visas. These programs have been cornerstones of U.S. higher education for decades, enabling universities to attract global talent. Harvard, with its long history of hosting international scholars since the 1950s, suddenly found this privilege revoked, citing issues like campus safety concerns related to antisemitism and alleged non-compliance with records requests. The move forced affected students—over 7,000 F-1 and J-1 visa holders from 143 countries—to either transfer institutions or risk unlawful status, disrupting academic progress, research projects, and personal lives.

Pennsylvania colleges' involvement highlights regional stakes. The Philadelphia area alone hosts more than 20,000 international students annually, contributing immensely to local vibrancy and economic activity. As these institutions rally, the case raises profound questions about academic freedom, government overreach, and the future of global talent pipelines in America.

Harvard's Lawsuit: Challenging the Revocation

Harvard filed its lawsuit on May 23, 2025, just a day after DHS issued the revocation notice. The complaint argues that the decision was arbitrary, retaliatory, and unconstitutional, violating the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), First Amendment rights, and due process. Central to Harvard's case is the claim that DHS demands exceeded regulatory bounds under 8 C.F.R. § 214.3(g)(1), which requires only basic reporting like enrollment status and addresses—not broad inquiries into student ideologies or protest activities.

The timeline reveals escalating pressures. In April 2025, DHS sent a 'Demand Letter' pushing for reforms in governance, admissions, and DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) policies, followed by a narrow 10-day records request. Despite Harvard producing thousands of pages of compliant data, revocation followed swiftly, accompanied by public accusations of fostering a 'toxic campus climate' with 'pro-terrorist conduct.' A federal judge quickly granted preliminary injunctions, blocking the revocation and a subsequent Trump proclamation barring nonimmigrant visas for Harvard study. The administration appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, prompting the amicus intervention.

This isn't isolated; it ties into larger federal scrutiny, including frozen research grants worth billions and demands for admissions data. For international students, the uncertainty is palpable—many on Optional Practical Training (OPT) or STEM OPT face career derailments, while incoming applicants grapple with visa pauses.

Pennsylvania Institutions Unite in Support

The amicus brief, filed January 20, 2026, by the American Council on Education (ACE) and signed by 48 institutions—including Penn, Bryn Mawr, and Swarthmore—urges upholding the injunctions. It warns that ideological litmus tests for enrollment threaten institutional autonomy, a First Amendment bedrock allowing universities to shape their communities freely.

• University of Pennsylvania: As an Ivy League peer, Penn emphasized the talent pipeline disruption. International students fuel breakthroughs like mRNA vaccine tech from former Penn professor Katalin Karikó, underscoring why visa stability matters for innovation.
• Bryn Mawr College: Director of International Student Advising Charity Alinda stated, “Supporting international students is in the best interest of our college due to the significant value they bring to our campus community.” This women's liberal arts college values the diverse perspectives that enhance learning.
• Swarthmore College: Alisa Giardinelli, likely from international services, noted, “Every day, our international students enrich our campus community and society more broadly... strengthening learning for all students.” Swarthmore sees global views as key to tackling complex challenges.

These signatures reflect shared vulnerabilities. A chilling effect looms: if Harvard falls, others could face similar scrutiny, deterring top applicants amid competition from Canada, Australia, and Europe.

📊 Economic and Research Vitality at Stake

International students are economic powerhouses. In 2024, they contributed nearly $55 billion to the U.S. economy, supporting 378,000 jobs per NAFSA data.NAFSA Economic Value Tool. Yet, fall 2025 saw a 17% drop in new enrollments due to policy fears, costing $1.1 billion and 23,000 jobs. At Harvard, disruptions halt labs in cancer research, AI, and quantum computing—fields reliant on global collaborators.

Research thrives on diversity: immigrant innovators drive patents and startups. Policies like Bayh-Dole Act enable universities to commercialize federally funded inventions, but visa instability erodes this edge. Pennsylvania benefits too—Philly's int'l cohort boosts tuition revenue, off-campus spending, and cultural exchange, sustaining higher ed jobs in administration and faculty roles.