A U.S. district judge stopped the Trump administration from revoking Harvard University’s right to enroll international students on Friday. This decision followed a lawsuit filed by Harvard in federal court in Boston.
Harvard Warns of Devastating Impact
In its complaint, Harvard strongly opposed the policy. The university argued that it violated the U.S. Constitution and federal laws.
Moreover, it warned of an “immediate and devastating effect” on the university and more than 7,000 visa holders.
Harvard stressed, “With the stroke of a pen, the government has sought to erase a quarter of Harvard’s student body, international students who contribute significantly to the University and its mission. Without its international students, Harvard is not Harvard.”
Judge Grants Temporary Restraining Order
Consequently, Judge Allison Burroughs, appointed by former President Barack Obama, issued a temporary restraining order.
This order blocks the policy from taking effect while the case moves forward.
Trump Pushes Agenda Through Universities
Meanwhile, the revocation was part of a broader effort by former President Donald Trump to shape American institutions. In particular, he targeted dissenting voices on college campuses, including students protesting for Palestinian rights.
Additionally, Trump’s administration sought to punish law firms whose attorneys opposed him and even floated the idea of impeaching judges who ruled against his policies.
Harvard Has Fought Back Before
Notably, this is not Harvard’s first clash with the Trump administration. Previously, it sued the federal government to recover nearly $3 billion in lost or withheld grants. Similarly, other law firms such as WilmerHale and Susman Godfrey have challenged federal actions they deemed unlawful.
White House Criticizes Lawsuit
Before the judge’s ruling, White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson dismissed the case. She stated, “If only Harvard cared this much about ending the scourge of anti-American, anti-Semitic, pro-terrorist agitators on their campus they wouldn’t be in this situation to begin with.”
Furthermore, she said, “Harvard should spend their time and resources on creating a safe campus environment instead of filing frivolous lawsuits.”
DHS Moves Forward with Visa Revocation
Despite the backlash, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced the revocation formally. According to her, it would take effect in the 2025–2026 academic year. In a letter to Harvard, Noem accused the university of creating a “hostile learning environment for Jewish students.” Additionally, she claimed Harvard was “fostering violence, antisemitism, and coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party.”
As a result, Noem demanded Harvard submit full records about international students, including video and audio of protests from the past five years—within 72 hours.
In response, Harvard firmly rejected the request. The university wrote, “Homeland Security’s justification is the quintessence of arbitrariness.”
Other Institutions Comply Under Pressure
Meanwhile, some universities complied with similar demands. For instance, Columbia University revised disciplinary policies and Middle East-related courses after Trump froze $400 million in federal funding. Likewise, law firms like Paul, Weiss and Skadden Arps offered pro bono legal work for Trump-supported causes.