Harvard Wins Temporary Relief as US Court Blocks Trump’s Ban on International Students

By Siya June 4, 2025
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A United States judge has issued a preliminary injunction halting the Trump administration’s controversial attempt to bar Harvard University from enrolling international students. The decision, delivered by district judge Allison Burroughs, aims to “maintain the status quo” while the legal challenge from Harvard proceeds.

The ruling is the latest chapter in a bitter standoff between the US government and the Ivy League institution. The Trump administration has accused Harvard of non-compliance with SEVP (Student and Exchange Visitor Program) rules, fuelling allegations of anti-American and anti-Semitic conduct, and alleged collaboration with the Chinese Communist Party.

Harvard has pushed back forcefully, citing the emotional and academic toll the move has had on its international students. Maureen Martin, the university’s director of immigration services, stated in court documents that many students have reported “profound fear, concern, and confusion,” with some too afraid to attend graduation ceremonies or travel internationally.

The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) confirmed its intention to revoke Harvard’s SEVP certification, though it notably omitted a previous ultimatum giving the university 30 days to contest the decision. Despite the temporary reprieve, US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem continued to criticise Harvard, accusing it of violating oversight rules and harbouring anti-American sentiment.

The international education community has responded with alarm. France, for instance, has been vocal about welcoming displaced students. The country has already positioned itself as an alternative destination for those affected by tightening US visa policies, which include a recent freeze on new student visa interviews worldwide.

The crackdown has left Chinese students particularly vulnerable, with the administration vowing to “aggressively revoke” visas amid escalating tensions with Beijing.

As legal proceedings unfold, the spotlight remains on the broader implications of the US government’s stance, one that could have lasting effects on its appeal to international scholars.

Source: THE PIE NEWS

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