A U.S. federal judge has blocked former President Donald Trump’s latest attempt to prevent Harvard University from enrolling international students. The order, issued Friday by Judge Allison Burroughs in Boston, ensures that Harvard can continue to host its 7,000 foreign students — nearly a quarter of its student population — while the legal case continues.
The ruling came after the Department of Homeland Security abruptly withdrew Harvard's certification to host foreign students and issue visas. Harvard sued the government in May, arguing that the move was illegal retaliation for the university’s refusal to follow new White House demands. These demands included changes to policies around protests, hiring, and admissions.
Harvard claimed that the administration was targeting the university for political reasons, attempting to punish it for being too liberal and for failing to clamp down on alleged antisemitic incidents. In a court filing, Harvard said the administration's actions had created fear and confusion among international students, some of whom considered leaving the school.
The university also stated that its global reputation and research capabilities were at risk if international students were pushed out. Harvard immigration services director Maureen Martin said many students had already inquired about transferring.
After the judge temporarily halted the initial decision in May, Trump responded by issuing a new presidential proclamation in early June. This proclamation also aimed to block international students from entering the country, but used a different legal reasoning. Harvard again challenged the move, calling it an attempt to bypass the court’s temporary order.
Judge Burroughs blocked that proclamation too — at least for now. She hasn’t yet given a final ruling but may do so in the coming days. Harvard, in a message to students, said the court’s decision provides temporary protection and that they are preparing for every possibility.
The ongoing legal fight has left many students uncertain. One prospective student, Huang, whose name was changed for privacy reasons, shared her struggles online. After her original admission at Vanderbilt University was cancelled due to federal budget cuts, Harvard accepted her with a scholarship. But despite court orders, her visa status is still pending.
“Your personal effort and capability means nothing in this era,” she posted. “Why does it have to be so hard to go to school?”
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Trump has long accused elite universities like Harvard of promoting liberal views and tolerating anti-Jewish rhetoric. His administration has already slashed over $2.6 billion in research funding, canceled contracts, and even threatened Harvard’s tax-exempt status.
On social media, Trump claimed Harvard had “largescale improprieties” and said a deal could be announced soon. However, Harvard has defended its right to operate under existing laws and said it will continue standing by academic freedom and legal principles.
That’s the message Harvard included in its lawsuit. University officials argued that blocking international students would severely impact many graduate programs and damage Harvard’s global reputation. The situation has already prompted some foreign universities, including two in Hong Kong, to extend invitations to displaced Harvard students.
University president Alan Garber reiterated Harvard’s commitment to addressing issues like antisemitism, but said the school won’t compromise its “core, legally-protected principles” in response to political pressure.
For now, the emergency order remains in effect. A more permanent ruling is expected soon. Until then, international students at Harvard can continue their studies — though uncertainty remains about what may come next.
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