Federal judge halts Trump initiative to prohibit international students at Harvard

A federal judge in Boston has halted a Trump administration strategy aimed at preventing international students and scholars from entering the U.S. to attend or work at Harvard.

U.S. District Court Judge Allison D. Burroughs approved the University’s plea for a preliminary injunction on June 23, determining that the administration’s actions were likely unlawful and posed significant constitutional challenges.

Burroughs remarked, “This case revolves around fundamental constitutional rights that require protection: freedom of thought, freedom of expression, and freedom of speech, all of which form the foundation of a functioning democracy and serve as vital safeguards against authoritarianism.”

The ruling prolongs a temporary order issued on June 5, one day following a declaration by President Trump stating that the federal government would refuse visas for international students planning to attend Harvard.

Trump mentioned national security apprehensions, accusing the University of not providing records about its approximately 7,000 international students and recent graduates to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), a claim that University officials have vehemently denied.

Burroughs criticized DHS and other federal bodies, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the Department of Justice, and the State Department, for executing such a swift action with “minimal consideration” of its impact on international students or the nation.

The government’s “misguided attempts to control a prestigious academic institution and silence varying perspectives” due to potential divergence from the Trump administration’s “endanger these rights,” the judge concluded in the 44-page memorandum and order.

On June 20, Burroughs issued a preliminary injunction prohibiting DHS, ICE, and other agencies from revoking Harvard’s participation in the Student and Exchange Visitor Program.

DHS had sought to withdraw the University’s certification in May, asserting that Harvard had not submitted records of student visa holders, a claim that University representatives have rejected.

The exchange program, managed by DHS and ICE, gathers information about individuals wishing to study in the U.S. to verify their legitimacy as students and allows institutions to host visa-holding individuals from abroad.

Since assuming office in January, the Trump administration has halted over $3 billion in grants and contracts with Harvard. Officials made a series of demands that include “audits” of academic programs and departments, along with the perspectives of students, faculty, and staff, and modifications to the University’s governance structure and hiring practices.

The University has initiated two civil lawsuits asserting that the government’s actions against Harvard are unlawful and retaliatory, violating the University’s constitutional rights.

The administration informed the U.S. First Circuit Court of Appeals on June 27 that it intends to file an appeal.