Pennsylvania Colleges Back Harvard in Supporting International Students

Penn, Bryn Mawr, and Swarthmore join 48 higher ed institutions in signing brief touting benefits of international enrollment

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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Several Pennsylvania colleges, including the University of Pennsylvania, Bryn Mawr, and Swarthmore, have joined 48 other higher education institutions in signing a legal brief supporting Harvard University in its fight against the federal government's efforts to restrict international student enrollment. The brief argues that international students enrich U.S. higher education and the economy, and that policies jeopardizing their enrollment represent an existential risk for American universities.

Why it matters

The federal government's crackdown on international students has already resulted in a 17% decrease in enrollment from overseas at U.S. universities as of fall 2025, costing the U.S. economy an estimated $1.1 billion and 23,000 jobs. The Pennsylvania colleges signing the brief recognize that restricting international enrollment could have severe consequences for American higher education and the broader economy.

The details

The legal brief, filed in support of Harvard's lawsuit against the federal government, states that 'those who come from abroad to study and research in the United States enrich and strengthen our country in innumerable ways.' It warns that 'even if one agrees with the current administration's criticisms of Harvard's academic community, what happens when the pendulum of politics swings in another direction?' The brief was also signed by International House Philadelphia, an advocacy group for the region's international student population, whose executive director Bill Keyes said that any policies jeopardizing international enrollment represent an 'existential risk' for U.S. higher ed institutions.

  • As of fall 2025, international student enrollment at U.S. universities has decreased by 17%.

The players

University of Pennsylvania

A private research university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, that has joined other Pennsylvania colleges in signing the legal brief supporting Harvard's fight against federal restrictions on international student enrollment.

Bryn Mawr College

A private liberal arts college located in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, that has joined the legal brief supporting Harvard's position on international students.

Swarthmore College

A private liberal arts college located in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, that has joined the legal brief supporting Harvard's fight against federal restrictions on international student enrollment.

International House Philadelphia

An advocacy group that has been supporting Greater Philadelphia's international student population since 1918 and whose executive director, Bill Keyes, said that any policies jeopardizing international enrollment represent an 'existential risk' for U.S. higher education institutions.

Bill Keyes

The executive director of International House Philadelphia, an advocacy group for the region's international student population.

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What’s next

It is not clear when the court will rule on the lawsuit.

The takeaway

The Pennsylvania colleges' support for Harvard in this case highlights the broader concerns across American higher education about the potential long-term consequences of allowing political ideology to govern university policies, especially when it comes to international student enrollment, which is seen as vital to the strength and diversity of U.S. colleges and universities.