Judge supports Harvard regarding overseas students

A federal magistrate on Thursday prolonged a temporary injunction that prevents the Trump administration from revoking Harvard’s authority to host international scholars and students. This order was issued the previous week after the University filed a lawsuit in reaction to a governmental attempt to withdraw Harvard’s certification for the Student and Exchange Visitor Program.

More than 5,000 international scholars and students at Harvard are in jeopardy of losing their legal status due to the cancellation order, which was initially communicated in a letter from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and has instilled fear and uncertainty among international students and scholars at Harvard as well as other academic institutions. In its lawsuit, Harvard contends that the government’s actions breach the First Amendment, the Due Process Clause, and the Administrative Procedure Act. President Alan Garber has characterized the Trump administration’s initiatives as retaliatory.

In response to Judge Allison Burroughs’ ruling to extend the temporary injunction, the University emphasized the value of international students and scholars and committed to continuing the fight for its capacity to welcome them to campus.

“Today’s judicial ruling allows the University to keep hosting international students and scholars while the case proceeds,” a spokesperson stated. “Harvard will persist in taking measures to safeguard the rights of our international students and scholars, integral members of our community whose presence immensely benefits the University’s academic goals and our nation.”

The prolongation of the injunction coincided with students, faculty, and staff partaking in Commencement in Harvard Yard. Garber earned a standing ovation when he commenced welcoming remarks that acknowledged the University’s global population.

“Welcome to members of the Class of 2025 — students from just down the street, across the country, and around the globe,” he stated, adding: “Around the world just as it ought to be.”

Elsewhere in the Yard and across the campus, students, alumni, and others expressed their joy at Harvard’s victory in court.

International students are “essential to what elevates Harvard to one of the premier universities globally,” remarked Kevin Pacheco, an educator at the Medical School. Caleb Thompson ’27, co-president of the Harvard Undergraduate Association, concurred.

“I’m undoubtedly very pleased about this news,” Thompson expressed. “International students are a vital part of our experiences. I’m not the first to proclaim this, but Harvard isn’t Harvard without international students … these are some of the most proficient, intellectually gifted individuals on our campus.”

He added: “For me it’s personal even though I’m a domestic student: I have eight international roommates. They hold immense significance in my life.”

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Sy Boles of the Harvard Staff contributed to this article.