Harvard Law's LL.M. program in peril

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The Trump administration's bid to block international students from enrolling at Harvard University could potentially deal a death blow to the law school's influential master of laws program, if courts allow the ban to move ahead, Karen Sloan reports. 

That 102-year-old LL.M. program brings about 180 lawyers to Harvard Law School annually for a year to learn about the U.S. legal system, and all but a handful come from overseas. They would be shut out under the ban, as would about 150 Harvard J.D. students and many students in the school's Doctor of Juridical Science program. International students made up 17% of all Harvard Law students this year, generating more than $20 million in tuition according to Reuters' estimates.

It's unclear whether the ban will take effect, however. The Trump administration on Thursday backed away from plans to immediately revoke Harvard University's ability to enroll international students and said it would instead give the institution 30 days to contest those plans through a lengthier administrative process. The judge hearing Harvard's lawsuit to stop the ban said she would issue a broad preliminary injunction preserving the status quo while the newly announced administrative process plays out.

REUTERS/Carlos Barria/File Photo

U.S. trade court blocked most of President Trump's tariffs in a sweeping ruling on Wednesday that found the president overstepped his authority by imposing across-the-board duties on imports from U.S. trading partners.

The Court of International Trade said the U.S. Constitution gives Congress exclusive authority to regulate commerce with other countries that is not overridden by the president's emergency powers to safeguard the U.S. economy.

Senior Trump administration officials today downplayed the impact of the ruling, expressing confidence it would be overturned on appeal and insisting there are other legal avenues to use in the interim.

Canadian Prime Minister Jay Carney welcomed the decision, saying it was "consistent with Canada's longstanding position" that Trump's tariffs were unlawful.

Other U.S. trading partners offered careful responses. The British government said the ruling was a domestic matter for the U.S. administration and noted it was "only the first stage of legal proceedings."

At first glance, an obscure provision tucked into the sweeping tax and immigration bill passed by the House last week limiting the authority of federal judges to enforce contempt sanctions might look to some like a free pass for Trump administration officials to defy injunctions. On closer inspection, though, those worries may be overblown, Jenna Greene writes in On the Case. Still, the provision, should it become law, could wreak havoc in unexpected ways.

Wall Street gains after court blocks most Trump tariffs ... Chinese students despair as U.S. cracks down on visas ... Pressure is mounting on reluctant Trump to impose sanctions on Russia ... Republicans seek to cement Trump's immigration legacy in sweeping bill ... Israel announces new West Bank settlements despite sanctions threat ... Manitoba urges thousands to evacuate as Canada wildfires spread ... NASA astronauts emerge from recovery after long Starliner mission ...  Joy, shock, disbelief: Emotional scenes from the Scripps Spelling Bee ... and our photos of the day.

Correction: Yesterday's Career Tracker included an incorrect link in the item about Paul Hastings' five-partner addition. The correct link is here.

sara.merken@thomsonreuters.com

@saramerken

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