US Judge Blocks Trump Administration’s Ban on International Enrolments at Harvard

By Vaidant May 28, 2025
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A federal judge has temporarily halted the Trump administration’s attempt to prevent Harvard University from enrolling international students, offering a momentary reprieve to the thousands of overseas students currently studying at the institution.

District judge Allison Burroughs issued a temporary restraining order, pausing the enforcement of the directive that threatened Harvard’s SEVP (Student and Exchange Visitor Program) certification. The decision is being hailed as a significant win for the international education sector in the United States.

The ban, if implemented, would have prohibited Harvard from enrolling new F-1 or J-1 visa holders for the 2025/26 academic year. It would also have forced current international students to transfer to another institution in order to remain in the country. Last year, Harvard hosted 6,793 international students, making up 27% of its total student body.

The conflict began when the Trump administration demanded that Harvard hand over disciplinary records for all international students from the past five years. In response, the university filed a lawsuit, arguing that the directive would “erase a quarter of Harvard’s student body” and cause irreparable harm to its educational mission.

The government’s move is part of a broader confrontation with Harvard, stemming from the university’s refusal to comply with demands to change its hiring and admissions practices, dismantle its DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) programmes, and provide detailed records on international students. In retaliation, the administration froze $2.2 billion in funding, questioned Harvard’s tax-exempt status, and threatened its eligibility to host international students.

The next court hearing is scheduled for 29 May in Boston. In the meantime, Harvard has vowed to continue fighting for its students. One student told The PIE News, “We’re nervous, but we trust Harvard to have our backs.”

This case underscores the growing tensions in the United States surrounding international education and raises serious questions about the future of global academic collaboration.

Source: THE PIE NEWS

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