Judge Blocks Trump Admin from Halting Harvard International Students
Federal judge temporarily stops Trump administration's ban on Harvard enrolling foreign students, citing retaliation and constitutional violations.
A federal judge has issued a temporary restraining order preventing the Trump administration from revoking Harvard University's ability to enroll international students. The decision comes after Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem abruptly terminated Harvard's Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification, threatening the status of over 7,000 foreign students and scholars.
U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs granted Harvard's emergency request just hours after the university filed a lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The lawsuit argues that the administration's move was unconstitutional retaliation for Harvard's refusal to comply with demands to alter its academic policies.
Harvard President Alan Garber condemned the revocation as unlawful, stating it imperils the futures of thousands of students and undermines the university's mission. The administration claims Harvard failed to provide requested records on international student activities, but the university insists it complied with legal requirements.
If enforced, the policy would have forced current international students to transfer or leave the U.S., disrupting academic programs and research. Harvard's lawsuit emphasizes that international students, who make up 27% of its student body, are vital to its intellectual community.
The judge's order temporarily halts the revocation while litigation proceeds. A hearing is scheduled for May 29 to determine next steps. Legal experts suggest the case may escalate to higher courts given its implications for academic freedom and immigration policy.
The dispute is part of a larger clash between the Trump administration and elite universities. The White House has previously frozen federal funding for Harvard and threatened its tax-exempt status, accusing the school of fostering antisemitism and foreign influence.
The restraining order provides relief to anxious students and faculty. However, the legal battle is far from over, with both sides preparing for a prolonged fight over the future of international education in the U.S.
