A federal judge in Boston temporarily halted the Trump administration's controversial policy barring Harvard University from enrolling international students, calling the move "justified" to prevent immediate harm to the institution. The ruling preserves access for thousands of overseas scholars amid an escalating legal battle over academic independence.
Judge Allison Burroughs of the U.S. District Court for Massachusetts issued the restraining order on Friday, stating Harvard would face "irreparable injury" without intervention. The decision blocks Homeland Security's revocation of Harvard's Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification, which threatened to strip legal status from existing international students.
The clash intensified after Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem warned universities Thursday that enrolling foreign students is a "privilege," citing Harvard's alleged noncompliance with federal laws. Harvard President Alan Garber condemned the action as "unlawful retaliation" against the university's refusal to cede control of its curriculum and admissions processes.
This marks Harvard's second lawsuit against the administration in three months, following April tensions over $2.26 billion in frozen federal funds. The administration had demanded governance reforms, including dismantling diversity initiatives and addressing antisemitism claims – demands Harvard rejected as overreach.
International students comprised over 27% of Harvard's 2023 enrollment, with many from Asian countries. The case highlights growing concerns about U.S. academic accessibility for overseas scholars and institutional autonomy.
