
Future Belgian queen could be affected by Harvard foreign student ban
(NewsNation) — The future queen of Belgium, 23-year-old Princess Elisabeth, just completed her first year at Harvard University, but it could soon come to an end.
With President Donald Trump wanting to ban foreign students from studying at the Ivy League, her studies could be affected. On Thursday, the administration revoked Harvard University’s ability to have international students. However, on Friday, a judge blocked that ruling.
If this ban goes through, it would force any current international students to either transfer to another school or lose legal status in the United States. This ban could also extend to other colleges.
Belgian royal palace ‘investigating the situation’: Spokesperson
According to The Guardian, the spokesperson for the Belgian royal palace, Lore Vandoorne, said, “Princess Elisabeth has just completed her first year. The impact of [the Trump administration’s] decision will only become clearer in the coming days/weeks. We are currently investigating the situation.”
Then, the communication director for the palace, Xavier Baert, said, “We are analysing this at the moment and will let things settle. A lot can still happen in the coming days and weeks.”
Elisabeth is currently studying public policy at Harvard, which is a two-year master’s program. The Guardian reported that she is the heir to the Belgian throne since she is the oldest child of King Philippe and Queen Mathilde. Before she went to Harvard, she earned a degree in history and politics from the University of Oxford in England.
Harvard files a lawsuit against the Trump administration
On Friday, Harvard filed a lawsuit in federal court in Boston against the Trump administration’s ban. Harvard states that the government’s action would violate the First Amendment and have an “immediate and devastating effect for Harvard and more than 7,000 visa holders.”
“With the stroke of a pen, the government has sought to erase a quarter of Harvard’s student body, international students who contribute significantly to the University and its mission. Without its international students, Harvard is not Harvard,” the university’s statement said.
Judge blocks Trump’s ban on Harvard accepting international students
Following the lawsuit, a federal judge blocked Trump’s attempt to ban those students. Abigail Jackson, a White House spokesperson, told NewsNation, “The American people elected President Trump, not random local judges with their own liberal agenda, to run the country.”
She also said, “These unelected judges have no right to stop the Trump Administration from exercising their rightful control over immigration policy and national security policy.”
The move would block thousands of students who go to Harvard University for summer and fall classes. Harvard is also concerned about it putting the school at a disadvantage because even if the ban isn’t upheld, “future applicants may shy away from applying out of fear of further reprisals from the government,” the lawsuit said.
Harvard would also allegedly be unable to offer admission to new international students for at least two academic years. If a school loses its certification from the federal government, then it would not be able to reapply for one year.