Judge halts Trump’s ban on Harvard admission of foreign students

In a stunning legal blow to the Trump administration, a federal judge has issued a temporary restraining order halting President Donald Trump’s ban on Harvard University from enrolling foreign students.

The directive, announced by Homeland Security and formalized by the White House, was immediately challenged by Harvard and has now been paused pending further legal review.

District Judge Allison Burroughs ruled that allowing the presidential order to proceed would cause Harvard “immediate and irreparable injury.”

She said the ban raised serious constitutional concerns and noted that the university’s lawsuit against the administration contained credible claims of politically motivated retaliation.

The Trump administration’s controversial action began last month when Kristi Noem, Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, publicly accused Harvard of failing to report international students allegedly linked to misconduct or foreign intelligence activity.

Her statement sparked intense backlash from the academic community.
On Wednesday, the White House escalated the matter by issuing a formal proclamation prohibiting Harvard from admitting new foreign students.

The order argued that Harvard posed a “national security risk,” citing its refusal to adopt White House-recommended reforms such as ending its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, and mandating the immediate deportation of foreign students under investigation — even without due process.

Hours after the order was released, Harvard filed an amended federal lawsuit accusing the Trump administration of waging a “government vendetta” against the university.

The lawsuit highlighted how the directive lacked factual justification and was rooted in ideological opposition to academic independence.

Judge Burroughs agreed that the case demanded urgent judicial intervention.

“This Court is convinced that serious questions exist about the legality and motivation behind this presidential action,” she wrote.

“Absent temporary relief, Harvard University will suffer irreparable harm to its reputation, operations, and student body.”

Harvard enrolls nearly 25 percent of its students from outside the United States.
The ban, if enforced, would have impacted thousands of applicants for the upcoming academic year.

University officials say the administration has already revoked dozens of student visas since the conflict escalated in January.

The school’s legal team argues the Trump administration is targeting Harvard due to its resistance to political pressure.

They point to its refusal to share data on foreign students without judicial warrants, and its continued investment in diversity-focused academic programs.

Legal experts say the temporary block sets the stage for a major constitutional battle over the scope of presidential power in immigration and education policy.

The American Civil Liberties Union, along with several civil rights organizations, have filed amicus briefs supporting Harvard’s position.

The Trump administration defended its order in a press conference late Thursday, June 5.

Officials insisted the policy was designed to “safeguard the American homeland from espionage and ideological subversion.”

Judge Burroughs has scheduled a hearing for mid-June to decide whether to grant a permanent injunction.

Until then, Harvard may continue admitting and enrolling international students.

The decision marks a rare but significant judicial check on President Trump’s controversial use of executive authority.

If upheld, the ruling could influence broader immigration and education debates ahead of the 2025 general elections.

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