A United States judge on Friday issued a temporary injunction preventing the Trump administration from revoking Harvard University’s ability to enrol foreign students, a policy that the Ivy League institution described as part of President Donald Trump’s wider effort to retaliate against it for refusing to “surrender its academic independence.”
The order provides short-term relief to thousands of international students who faced the prospect of forced transfer under the policy. Harvard called the move a “blatant violation” of the US Constitution and other federal laws, warning it would have an “immediate and devastating effect” on the university and over 7,000 visa holders.
In a lawsuit filed earlier on Friday in Boston federal court, Harvard emphasised that “without its international students, Harvard is not Harvard.” The university currently has nearly 6,800 international students, comprising 27 per cent of its total enrolment.
This development marks the latest escalation in the ongoing dispute between Harvard and the White House, with the Trump administration seeking to pressure universities, law firms, media outlets, courts, and other institutions that value independence from partisan politics to align with its agenda. Trump and his Republican allies have long criticised elite universities for alleged left-wing bias.
Harvard has strongly resisted these moves, having previously sued to restore nearly $3 billion in federal grants that were frozen or cancelled. In recent weeks, the administration has proposed revoking Harvard’s tax-exempt status, increasing taxes on its endowment, and investigating potential civil rights violations.
Leo Gerden, a Swedish student due to graduate from Harvard this month with a degree in economics and government, described the judge’s ruling as “a great first step,” but cautioned that international students are preparing for a protracted legal battle that will prolong uncertainty.
“There is no single decision by Trump, Harvard, or a judge that will end this tyranny imposed by Trump,” Gerden said.
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Harvard’s complaint asserts that the revocation would force it to withdraw offers of admission to thousands and disrupt numerous academic programmes, clinics, courses, and research laboratories mere days before graduation. The university contends the action is punitive, targeting Harvard’s “perceived viewpoint,” and constitutes a violation of free speech rights under the First Amendment.
The Trump administration may appeal the ruling by US District Judge Allison Burroughs, who noted that Harvard demonstrated the likelihood of harm prior to a full hearing. The judge, appointed by former President Barack Obama, has scheduled further hearings on 27 and 29 May to determine the next steps.
White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson criticised the ruling, stating: “Unelected judges have no right to stop the Trump Administration from exercising their rightful control over immigration and national security policies.”
Since Trump’s inauguration in January 2017, his administration has accused several universities of failing to protect Jewish students during campus protests against Israel’s military operations in Gaza.
In contrast to Harvard’s legal challenges, Columbia University in New York has acceded to similar pressures, agreeing to reform disciplinary procedures and review Middle East-related curricula after the Trump administration withheld $400 million in funding over allegations of insufficient action against antisemitism.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, in announcing the termination of Harvard’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification for the 2025–2026 academic year, accused the university, without providing evidence, of “fostering violence, antisemitism, and coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party.” Harvard states that around one-fifth of its international students in 2024 were from China.
US lawmakers across parties have expressed concern over the Chinese government’s influence on US campuses, including attempts by Beijing-controlled Chinese student associations to monitor political activity and restrict academic freedom.
Harvard affirms its commitment to combating antisemitism and investigating credible civil rights complaints.
In his statement to the Harvard community, University President Alan Garber condemned the administration’s actions as unlawful attempts to control the university’s curriculum, faculty, and students. “The revocation is part of a series of government retaliations against Harvard for our refusal to surrender our academic independence,” Garber wrote.
The policy could also impact Harvard financially, as international students often pay full tuition, subsidising other students. DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin emphasised that “it is a privilege, not a right, for universities to enrol foreign students and benefit from their higher tuition payments.”
Harvard’s bonds, contributing to its $8.2 billion debt, have declined since Trump first warned universities in March of potential funding cuts.
Among Harvard’s international students are Cleo Carney, daughter of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, and Princess Elisabeth, heir apparent to the Belgian throne.
