AG Campbell today led a coalition of 21 attorneys general 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. 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.”  – AG Campbell