Harvard student visa ban effort by Trump unlawful, says US judge
US judge rules Trump overstepped in attempt to block Harvard's foreign students (Photo: college.harvard.edu)
A US federal judge has blocked President Trump's newest effort to prevent foreign students from attending Harvard University, ruling that the administration's actions exceeded legal authority.
The ruling safeguards the ability of roughly 7,000 international students to continue studying at the prestigious Ivy League institution while the case proceeds.
The move comes after the Trump administration sought to cut Harvard's enrollment of foreign students as part of a broader campaign aimed at forcing changes in the university's policies and governance. A judge in Boston determined that these government efforts threaten fundamental rights related to freedom of speech and academic freedom, according to court documents obtained by the Associated Press.
Government's effort seen as overreach in controlling Harvard
US District Judge Allison Burroughs issued the order Monday, temporarily halting the Trump administration's proclamation issued on June 4, which sought to block foreign students from entering the US to study at Harvard. In her ruling, Judge Burroughs wrote that the government's "misplaced efforts to control a reputable academic institution and squelch diverse viewpoints" pose a threat to free thought and speech, as reported by the Associated Press.
The legal dispute began in May when Harvard sued the Department of Homeland Security after the agency withdrew its certification to host foreign students under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program. This revocation threatened to force the university's international students — who make up approximately 25 percent of its enrollment — to either transfer or risk becoming undocumented in the US.
Harvard calls action retaliation, highlights impact on research funding
Harvard's lawsuit argues that the Trump administration's decision is illegal retaliation after the university refused to comply with government demands to overhaul policies related to campus protests, admissions, and hiring practices.
The administration also cut over $2.6 billion in federal research grants, ended contracts, and threatened to revoke Harvard's tax-exempt status, according to court filings.
"Without its international students, Harvard is not Harvard," the lawsuit states, emphasizing the critical role foreign students play in maintaining the university's global academic stature. Harvard President Alan Garber told the Associated Press that while the university has taken steps to address concerns such as anti-Semitism, it remains committed to protecting its core, legally protected principles even amid federal pressure.
Broader implications for academic freedom and US education
The case has quickly become a focal point in a broader debate over academic freedom and immigration policy in US higher education. Foreign students contribute significantly to research and innovation, and restrictions on their ability to study in the US could have lasting impacts on universities nationwide.
President Trump has publicly criticized Harvard, accusing the institution of liberal bias and citing concerns about "large-scale improprieties."
However, as reported by the Associated Press, Judge Burroughs' ruling underscores that attempts to use immigration policy as leverage against universities risk undermining constitutional rights and academic independence.
The ongoing legal battle will continue to shape policies affecting thousands of international students and the future of elite US institutions like Harvard. For now, the judge's order ensures that foreign students can remain enrolled and study without interruption as the case unfolds.
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