Harvard University has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, challenging a new policy regarding international students.

The policy, announced by the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), affects the status of international students enrolled in online-only courses for the fall 2020 semester.

Under the new rules, international students taking only online courses would not be allowed to remain in the United States, nor would they be issued visas to enter the country.

Harvard’s lawsuit argues that the policy is unlawful and arbitrary, potentially harming international students and disrupting academic programs.

The university asserts that the policy’s lack of clarity and abrupt implementation would create significant challenges for students and institutions.

Harvard’s president, Lawrence Bacow, announced the lawsuit, emphasizing the importance of international students to the university’s community and academic mission.

The lawsuit specifically seeks to block the government from enforcing the new visa regulations.

The lawsuit also suggests that the policy violates the Administrative Procedure Act, which governs how federal agencies create regulations.

Several other universities are expected to join or file similar lawsuits in response to the administration’s decision.

The legal battle highlights a conflict between the administration’s immigration policies and the interests of higher education institutions, particularly during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.