Office of the
Illinois Attorney General
Kwame Raoul

Coalition Argues the Trump Administration’s Attacks on International Students and Universities Threatens State’s Economic Prosperity and Global Competitiveness

Chicago – Attorney General Kwame Raoul, as part of a coalition of 21 attorneys general, filed an amicus brief urging the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 1st Circuit to affirm the preliminary injunction granted by the district court, blocking President Trump’s proclamation that banned international students from entering the United States if they planned to attend Harvard. 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 the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP).

“Welcoming international students to our colleges and universities creates a more enriching educational environment for all students,” Raoul said. “I join my fellow attorneys general in opposing this unlawful action targeting Harvard over students and faculty voicing their political opposition to this administration. I will continue to stand up against the president’s illegal attempts to punish free speech and harm those who disagree with him.”

On May 22, the Trump administration sent a letter to Harvard indicating it had revoked the school’s SEVP certification effective immediately. The revocation would prevent international students and academics from completing their studies at Harvard and potentially strip them of their lawful immigration status. After Harvard sued the administration for its illegal efforts, the district court granted the university a preliminary injunction blocking the administration’s action while the case proceeds. The administration attempted to circumvent that order by issuing a sweeping proclamation suspending entry to the United States for any international student studying at Harvard on certain education visas.  

In their brief, Raoul and 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. Raoul and the coalition urge the court to consider the broader impacts of permitting the Trump administration to target international students and punish academic institutions for their viewpoints. They argue that it sends a chilling message to students and academics around the world that should they choose to work or study in the United States, they risk having their studies or careers abruptly ended, and could even face detention and deportation, at the whims of the federal government.   

The coalition asserts that barring international students from attending Harvard threatens states’ academic institutions, economic prosperity and global leadership in education and scientific innovation. They argue these harms extend beyond Harvard, as international students make considerable economic, social and cultural contributions at universities across the country that enhance the United States’ global competitiveness. For example, during the 2024-2025 school year, the coalition states hosted 631,291 international students who supported more than 200,000 jobs and contributed approximately $26.8 billion annually to the economy through tuition, living expenses, and related spending. 

In submitting the brief, the coalition is asking the court to affirm the preliminary injunction granted by the district court blocking the Trump administration’s unlawful actions as the case continues.  

Joining Attorney General Raoul in submitting the amicus brief are the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington.