Reprieve for Harvard’s International Students as Federal Judge Blocks Trump from Barring their Admission
In a major legal blow to the Trump administration, a U.S. federal judge has indefinitely blocked efforts to revoke Harvard University’s ability to enroll international students.
The ruling, issued by U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs in Boston, grants a preliminary injunction that allows Harvard to continue operating its international student programs while litigation continues.
The case stems from a controversial move by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in May 2025, when the agency informed Harvard that its certification under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) was being rescinded.
The decision would have barred Harvard from hosting thousands of foreign students, placing academic careers and immigration statuses in jeopardy.
In response, Harvard filed suit against the federal government, accusing the Trump administration of political retaliation. The university claims the SEVP decertification was punishment for its refusal to comply with new federal mandates involving campus protests, hiring transparency, and admissions policy reforms. Additionally, the university cited threats to its $2.6 billion in federal research funding and its tax-exempt status as part of a broader campaign of pressure from Washington.
Harvard’s attorneys argued that the action was both unconstitutional and unprecedented, targeting the university for its academic independence and public dissent.
Judge Burroughs, in her ruling, agreed that there was sufficient evidence to pause the enforcement of the revocation order while the case proceeds.
“Blocking Harvard from enrolling international students would cause immediate and irreparable harm—not just to the institution but to thousands of scholars whose futures depend on continued academic access,” the judge wrote in her decision.
President Donald Trump responded to the ruling on Truth Social, claiming that negotiations were underway between the administration and Harvard to resolve what he called “large-scale improprieties” in the institution’s financial and academic practices. He insisted that the government’s actions were meant to ensure accountability, not punishment.
“We’re close to a historic agreement with Harvard that will improve transparency and standards for all universities,” Trump stated, while also hinting that a broader review of student visa programs remains on the table.
The ruling brings temporary relief to approximately 7,000 international students at Harvard, many of whom faced uncertainty over their legal status and academic future. Without SEVP certification, students could have lost access to visa support, potentially forcing them to withdraw from their programs or leave the country.
Harvard officials welcomed the court’s intervention. In a statement, the university reaffirmed its commitment to global education and accused the administration of attempting to weaponize immigration law against institutions that challenge its policies.
“We stand for academic freedom, inclusion, and the global exchange of ideas,” the university declared. “This ruling protects not just Harvard, but the principle of openness in American higher education.”
The case has become a flashpoint in ongoing debates over immigration, academic autonomy, and executive overreach. Legal experts say the outcome could set precedent for how far a presidential administration can go in regulating or punishing academic institutions through immigration enforcement.
While the preliminary injunction remains in place, litigation will continue in the coming months. Both sides are expected to submit further arguments, and observers suggest the case could eventually reach the U.S. Supreme Court if no settlement is reached.
For now, Harvard’s doors remain open to students from around the world—but the larger battle over the role of politics in education is far from over.
