A federal judge has temporarily stopped the Trump administration from barring Harvard University from enrolling international students.
Court Action Delays Controversial Ban
U.S. District Judge Allison D. Burroughs issued a temporary restraining order and scheduled a hearing for Tuesday. This comes after Harvard sued the administration, arguing the move violated the First Amendment, the Due Process Clause, and the Administrative Procedure Act.
Harvard Responds with Lawsuit
In its legal complaint, Harvard accused the administration of an “unprecedented and retaliatory attack” due to policy disagreements. The university said, “Harvard’s more than 7,000 F-1 and J-1 visa holders—and their dependents—have become pawns in the government’s escalating campaign of retaliation.”
University President Defends Student Rights
Harvard President Alan Garber called the ruling a “critical step to protect the rights and opportunities of our international students and scholars.” He rejected the government’s claim that Harvard had failed to comply with federal requests. “In fact, Harvard did respond to the Department’s requests as required by law,” Garber said.
DHS Cites Safety, Compliance Issues
The Department of Homeland Security, led by Secretary Kristi Noem, revoked Harvard’s ability to use the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). Noem cited the university’s “refusal to comply” with requests for information and accused it of fostering an “unsafe campus environment that is hostile to Jewish students, promotes pro-Hamas sympathies, and employs racist ‘diversity, equity, and inclusion’ policies.”
Tensions Between Harvard and Trump Administration Escalate
The dispute is part of a broader conflict between Harvard and the Trump administration, which has threatened the university’s tax-exempt status and withheld billions in federal funding.
Public Opinion Favors Harvard
A recent ABC News/Washington Post poll showed that 66% of Americans side with Harvard in the conflict, while 32% support the Trump administration. The poll was conducted before the move to block international student enrollment.
Federal Requests for Student Data Spark Legal Battle
According to DHS, Harvard failed to provide adequate data on visa holders involved in protests, disciplinary actions, or threats to campus safety. Noem emphasized that studying at U.S. universities is “a privilege, not a right.”
A final decision is pending the outcome of the upcoming court hearing.
For more on the ban on international students, keep up with updates on Que Onda Magazine.