A U.S. federal judge has ruled in favor of Harvard University, allowing it to continue hosting international students despite recent efforts by the Trump administration to restrict their presence. The decision, issued by Judge Allison Burroughs, temporarily blocks the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from revoking Harvard's certification in the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), safeguarding the status of approximately 7,000 foreign students.
The legal clash began in May when the DHS revoked Harvard's SEVP certification, citing compliance issues. The university sued, alleging the move was retaliation for resisting federal demands to overhaul policies on campus protests, admissions, and hiring. Judge Burroughs swiftly halted the DHS action, calling for further review.
This marks the second time Harvard has successfully challenged the administration's restrictions. In June, President Donald Trump attempted to bar foreign students from entering the U.S. to attend Harvard, a move also temporarily blocked by the court. The administration has criticized Harvard's policies, claiming they enable anti-conservative bias and anti-Jewish harassment, and has cut over $2.6 billion in federal research grants to the university.
The case highlights growing tensions between U.S. academic institutions and federal authorities over immigration policies and campus governance. For global students and scholars, the ruling offers temporary relief but underscores the uncertainty surrounding long-term visa stability in the U.S.
