Judge Temporarily Blocks Trump Admin's Entry Ban for International Harvard Students

A federal judge issued a significant ruling late Thursday, halting the Trump administration's decision to ban foreign students from enrolling at Harvard University. The move comes in response to an amended complaint filed by the Ivy League institution, which labeled the administration's actions as unconstitutional and without lawful basis. Harvard, home to more than 7,000 international students holding F-1 or J-1 visas, argued that the administration's ban would have dire consequences not just for students, but also for their families and academic pursuits in the United States.

The university's lawsuit contended that the Trump administration's proclamation unfairly targets foreign students specifically attending Harvard, instead of addressing any broader immigration concerns. "Nonimmigrants may enter the country unabated, as long as they do not attend Harvard," according to the documents presented to the court. Harvard characterized the measure as a "government vendetta," emphasizing that it aimed at retaliation rather than serving national security objectives.

Tensions between Harvard and federal officials escalated earlier in the year when a White House task force demanded that the university implement ideological screening for students and faculty, introduce "viewpoint diversity" quotas in admissions and hiring, and penalize student activist groups. Further demands included detailed reporting of foreign funding sources and a willingness to accept government oversight of internal university policies. When these requirements were rejected by Harvard, the administration retaliated by freezing $2.2 billion in research funding destined for the university.

Former President Donald Trump, in a series of posts on social media, called for revoking Harvard’s tax-exempt status, accusing the university of promoting "radical ideology" and criticizing its leadership and hiring practices. He also claimed that Harvard was deliberately slow in sharing information about its international student body with authorities—a charge the university disputes.

The Department of Homeland Security subsequently revoked Harvard’s SEVP (Student and Exchange Visitor Program) certification—an essential requirement for sponsoring international students. However, this revocation was swiftly blocked by the federal court, which has already intervened once to preserve the university’s ability to enroll foreign scholars. Harvard argues that the Trump administration is using the latest proclamation to circumvent previous court rulings and continue its campaign against the institution.

According to Thursday’s court filings, Harvard maintains that it has cooperated with all legal requirements and has submitted every record requested by law. The university claims the government's actions lack legitimate justification and describe the revocation as a mere pretext for punishing dissent. Harvard's legal team is being led by Robert Hur, the former special counsel known for his investigation involving President Joe Biden.

On the other side, the Department of Homeland Security remains steadfast. Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin stated, "It is a privilege, not a right, for universities to enroll foreign students," asserting that the administration’s reforms seek to restore "common sense" to the student visa system, and emphasizing that no legal action will deter those efforts.

The result is ongoing uncertainty for thousands of international students. Many now find themselves caught between administrative mandates and legal protections, unsure if they will be able to pursue their studies as planned. "It is tiring; we all feel numb now," said one 23-year-old graduate student currently interning in Asia. Another prospective student, having fled violence in Ethiopia to gain admission to Harvard, expressed hope that the turmoil will soon end and he can begin his studies as scheduled.