A U.S. court on Thursday issued a temporary block against the latest attempt by President Donald Trump to restrict foreign student enrollment at Harvard. This marks a deepening confrontation between Trump and one of the world’s most prestigious universities.
Nighttime Directive Targets International Students
On Wednesday night, the White House issued a directive aimed at preventing most new international students from entering the U.S. It also raised concerns that currently enrolled foreign students could face visa cancellations. The order stated, “Harvard’s conduct has made it an unsuitable destination for international students and researchers.”
Harvard's Legal Response
Harvard immediately responded by amending its existing complaint in federal court, stating:
“This is not the first time the administration has tried to isolate Harvard from its international students.”
It further claimed:
“This action is part of a coordinated and escalating campaign of retaliation by the government, clearly in response to Harvard’s use of its First Amendment right to reject governmental demands to control its administration, curriculum, and the ideological freedom of its faculty and students.”
Judge’s Decision Against Enforcement
U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs ruled Thursday that the government could not enforce Trump’s directive.
She noted:
“Harvard has demonstrated that without a temporary restraining order, there is a risk of immediate and irreparable harm before all parties have the opportunity to be heard.”
Judge Burroughs had previously blocked an earlier Trump effort to bar international admissions to Harvard.
Federal Funding Threats to Harvard
The government has already slashed approximately $3.2 billion in federal grants and contracts to Harvard and vowed to exclude the Cambridge, Massachusetts-based institution from any future federal funding.
Harvard became a primary target in Trump’s campaign against elite universities after it rejected demands to submit its curriculum, staff, student admissions policies, and commitment to “viewpoint diversity” for government review.
International Students at the Center
Trump also targeted international students at Harvard, who make up 27% of the total enrollment for the 2024/2025 academic year and serve as a key source of institutional revenue.
While Harvard acknowledged that Trump has the authority to restrict foreign groups if it serves the public interest, it emphasized that this situation did not meet such criteria.
Allegations of Political Retaliation
“Presidential actions in this case are not meant to protect the interests of the United States but rather to seek political revenge against Harvard,” the university stated.
After returning to the office, Trump has increasingly directed criticism at elite American universities. He and his allies have accused them of harboring antisemitism, liberal bias, and so-called “woke” ideologies.
Columbia University Also Targeted
On Wednesday, Trump’s education secretary threatened to revoke Columbia University’s accreditation. Trump also placed all federal funding to the Ivy League school in New York under review, accusing it of ignoring the harassment of Jewish students.
In contrast to Harvard, several top institutions, including Columbia, have complied with far-reaching demands made by the Trump administration.
