A federal judge has extended a block on the Trump administration’s effort to stop Harvard from enrolling international students, keeping the policy on hold as a lawsuit moves forward.
BOSTON, MA. (WE) — A federal judge has once again stepped in to protect Harvard University from the Trump administration’s efforts to bar the school from enrolling foreign students. On Thursday, U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs extended the temporary restraining order she issued last week. Her decision allows Harvard to keep admitting international students as the legal battle continues.
Harvard filed a lawsuit last Friday against the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), accusing the agency of overstepping its authority. The school challenged DHS Secretary Kristi Noem’s decision to revoke its certification to host foreign students. That move would have prevented thousands of international scholars from studying in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
In its legal filing, Harvard said the administration ignored required procedures. The university claims the government failed to provide a notice of violation, a clear explanation of the charges, or a meaningful opportunity to respond before pulling its certification. The school argued this violated longstanding federal policy governing international student programs.
A university spokesperson responded with a firm statement: “Harvard will continue to take steps to protect the rights of our international students and scholars. These members of our community are vital to our academic mission and enrich our entire country.”
Despite the restraining order, tensions escalated. On Wednesday, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) acting director Todd Lyons sent Harvard a formal notice of intent to terminate its ability to enroll foreign students. The letter outlined several allegations, including accusations that Harvard failed to address antisemitism on campus and that it cooperated with foreign entities against U.S. interests.
The notice gave Harvard 30 days to respond. Yet it came just weeks after Secretary Noem had already declared the university ineligible to host international students. That earlier decision, issued on May 22, shocked university officials. Noem had claimed Harvard didn’t cooperate with an investigation into antisemitic activity. Her letter demanded disciplinary records and documentation of any “dangerous or violent activity” involving foreign students.
Harvard insists it complied fully. But Noem concluded the university’s response was “inadequate,” and she pulled the school from the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), the system that enables U.S. institutions to sponsor international students for F-1 visas. The move took effect immediately, affecting the upcoming academic year.
In its lawsuit, Harvard claims this action bypassed critical steps. Federal law, the school argues, requires the government to give institutions a 30-day notice and a chance to appeal before revoking their SEVP certification. The school says DHS ignored these rules and acted arbitrarily.
Harvard also raised concerns about the legal foundation of Noem’s move. The letter she sent did not cite specific regulations Harvard allegedly violated. Instead, it referred broadly to compliance issues and national security concerns, leaving the university in legal limbo.
The administration’s latest notice on Wednesday did point to more concrete claims. It said Harvard had violated reporting regulations and failed to uphold an executive order related to combatting antisemitism. However, the university disputes these accusations and says the administration is weaponizing the immigration system for political gain.
In a court filing this week, Maureen Martin, director of Harvard’s International Office, described the damage already done. She said the administration’s actions created “profound fear, concern, and confusion” among the school’s international student population. She added that some students were already asking to transfer to other institutions.
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Martin also reported that incoming foreign students had experienced delays and complications while entering the United States. According to her, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) subjected them to extra screening, and some faced prolonged visa processing at U.S. embassies and consulates abroad. Many were denied altogether or told to reapply.
More than 7,000 international students, exchange scholars, and alumni participating in Optional Practical Training (OPT) programs rely on Harvard’s sponsorship to maintain their legal status. Martin emphasized the urgency of the situation, warning that if the ban proceeds, it could derail the academic and professional careers of thousands.
Among those potentially affected is Princess Elisabeth of Belgium, who just completed her first year in a Harvard graduate program. She has not commented publicly, but sources close to the royal family expressed concern.
Judge Burroughs, whose courtroom sits just a few miles from Harvard Yard, acknowledged the real-world consequences in Thursday’s hearing. “This is not just about policy,” she said. “This is about young people who have built their lives around a promise — a promise that America would welcome their minds and ambition.”
At Harvard’s commencement earlier that day, university speakers echoed those sentiments. Professors, administrators, and student leaders praised the cultural and intellectual value international students bring to campus. Several urged graduates to resist what they called “authoritarian efforts to restrict knowledge and mobility.”
The judge’s extended restraining order keeps the government from enforcing its ban, at least temporarily. But the threat still looms. The administration has not backed down and appears determined to escalate its case. Officials from DHS and ICE declined to comment publicly but hinted at further legal action.
Former President Donald Trump lashed out at Harvard after Judge Burroughs first intervened last week. In a post on his Truth Social platform, he wrote, “The best thing Harvard has going for it is that they have shopped around and found the absolute best Judge (for them!) — But have no fear, the Government will, in the end, WIN!”
Trump has long targeted Harvard and other elite universities, accusing them of promoting leftist ideologies and suppressing conservative voices. His administration has clashed with Harvard before — over affirmative action, student visa policies, and most recently, free speech issues.
In this case, the administration is going further. Officials have demanded that Harvard overhaul its policies, restructure its governance model, and implement new disciplinary procedures. According to people familiar with the negotiations, DHS wants Harvard to comply with broader national security goals laid out in executive orders signed during Trump’s term.
Harvard has rejected these demands outright. The university says the federal government is retaliating against it for protecting academic freedom and maintaining independence from political influence. In a second lawsuit filed this week, Harvard accused DHS of violating its First Amendment rights and engaging in viewpoint discrimination.
Legal experts say the case could set a national precedent. Stephen Yale-Loehr of Cornell Law School said the government has broad discretion over immigration but must still follow due process and respect constitutional protections.
“This goes beyond immigration policy,” Yale-Loehr explained. “This is about whether the government can punish universities for refusing to toe the political line. That’s dangerous territory.”
Other schools are watching closely. Several universities, including MIT, Stanford, and the University of Chicago, have submitted amicus briefs supporting Harvard’s position. Many fear they could be next.
So far, Harvard’s legal team has gained the upper hand. Judge Burroughs’ initial restraining order — now extended — froze the administration’s action and gave Harvard time to argue its case. But the next phase of litigation could drag on for months.
Meanwhile, the uncertainty continues. Students are unsure whether to renew their leases, register for fall classes, or travel home during the summer. Scholars in Harvard’s medical and engineering programs — many of whom work on federally funded research — worry their visas could be revoked without notice.
Harvard President Alan Garber has urged calm but admits the university faces “unprecedented legal and political pressure.” In a letter to faculty and students, he wrote, “We must remain resolute in our commitment to open inquiry, global scholarship, and the rule of law. This is not just about Harvard. It is about the soul of American higher education.”
For now, Harvard remains eligible to sponsor foreign students. The next court hearing is scheduled for late June. Until then, university officials say they will continue to defend their values — and their students — in court.
