Judge Halts Trump Admin’s Bid to Block Harvard’s International Student Program

A federal judge in Boston, Allison D. Burroughs, is set to deliver a significant blow to the Trump administration’s attempt to revoke Harvard University’s certification to host international students. On Thursday, Burroughs announced plans to issue a preliminary injunction, effectively halting the administration’s move to strip the Ivy League institution of its ability to welcome students on F-1 and J-1 visas through the Student and Exchange Visitor Program.

This follows Burroughs’ earlier decision last week to grant Harvard a temporary restraining order, keeping the program intact for now. The judge, appointed by former President Barack Obama, made it clear at the hearing that the government’s push would remain blocked pending further review.

Harvard’s lawsuit revealed the high stakes: over 7,000 visa-holding students—more than a quarter of its student body—face uncertainty if the certification is revoked. The university argues these students are caught in a bureaucratic nightmare, with their academic futures hanging in the balance.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) doubled down in a Wednesday filing, citing Harvard’s alleged failure to meet reporting requirements, maintain a safe campus free of violence and antisemitism, and address national security concerns tied to foreign entities. Harvard’s legal team fired back, emphasizing the 'terrifying' real-time harm facing international students.

This clash underscores a broader tension: balancing national security with academic freedom. As the courtroom drama unfolds, thousands of students await clarity on their place in one of America’s most prestigious institutions.