A U.S. federal judge temporarily blocked former President Donald Trump's latest attempt to bar foreign students from attending Harvard University, marking another legal setback for the controversial policy. Judge Allison D. Burroughs ruled on Thursday that the university had demonstrated the ban would cause "immediate and irreparable injury" to its international student programs if not halted pending full legal review.
The decision underscores ongoing tensions between U.S. immigration policies and higher education institutions reliant on global talent. Harvard, which hosts thousands of international students annually—including many from Asia—argued the ban would disrupt academic operations and harm its reputation. The ruling follows multiple attempts by the Trump administration to restrict student visas, policies often criticized as damaging to America's standing in global education.
Legal experts suggest the case reflects broader debates about immigration and academic freedom, with implications for Asian students pursuing U.S. degrees. Universities and advocacy groups have consistently opposed such restrictions, emphasizing the economic and cultural value of international scholars.
