The American Historical Association (AHA), in collaboration with Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), has filed an amicus brief in support of Harvard University’s lawsuit against the federal government over the university’s ability to host foreign scholars and students. Seventeen other scholarly humanities organizations joined the AHA on the brief, which was filed today with the Court of Appeals for the First Circuit.
The brief conveys the importance of international scholars and students to American higher education, with a focus on the historical discipline, and the benefits and opportunities they bring to the United States. In support of Harvard’s case, the brief explains that using visa revocations and the like as a means to stifle political speech is a violation of the First Amendment. These actions “threaten the tremendous contributions of foreign-born historians and other foreign scholars and students.”
Download the brief as a PDF.