A U.S. federal judge has issued a temporary restraining order against the Trump administration’s attempt to bar Harvard University from enrolling international students, marking a major twist in an escalating legal showdown.
The dramatic ruling, delivered on Friday by District Judge Allison Burroughs, comes just a day after the U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced plans to strip Harvard of access to the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) — a key system for managing the academic records of foreign students.
Harvard swiftly challenged the decision in court, describing it as a “blatant violation” of U.S. law and academic freedom. In its lawsuit, the university accused the government of using immigration policy to retaliate against its stance on issues such as curriculum, admissions, and staffing.
“With the stroke of a pen, the government tried to erase a quarter of our student body,” Harvard said, referring to the more than 6,800 international students who make up about 27% of its enrolment.
Reacting to the ruling, Harvard President Alan Garber condemned the government’s action as “unlawful and unwarranted,” warning that the implications go beyond Harvard and threaten academic independence across the U.S.
However, the White House, through Deputy Press Secretary Abigail Jackson, hit back at the university. She accused Harvard of turning a blind eye to antisemitism on campus and giving space to what she described as “pro-terrorist agitators.” Jackson dismissed the lawsuit as “frivolous” and claimed the court’s decision was driven by a “liberal agenda.”
Critics of the administration’s move, including international education advocates, say the policy could hurt the U.S. education system and its economy. Many foreign students, who pay full tuition, are vital to universities’ financial health. Harvard’s tuition alone is pegged at $59,320 for the upcoming academic year, with total annual costs surpassing $100,000.
The court ruling has brought temporary relief to students like Leo Ackerman, who was set to begin studies at Harvard in August. “This is a dream for so many of us,” he said. “To have it threatened is heartbreaking, but there’s still hope.”
Belgium’s Princess Elisabeth is among several international students caught in the middle of the legal storm.
Though the court’s order has paused the government’s action for now, the clash between the Trump administration and U.S. academic institutions over international student rights and university autonomy is far from over.
