Federal Judge Blocks Trump Administration's Efforts to Restrict International Students at Harvard
A federal judge has indefinitely blocked President Trump's efforts to suspend new international students at Harvard, impacting 6,800 students and citing threats to free speech.
Overview
- A federal judge has issued an indefinite injunction against President Trump's proclamation to suspend new international students at Harvard University.
- The ruling affects approximately 6,800 international students, who represent about 27% of Harvard's total enrollment.
- Harvard University filed a lawsuit after the Department of Homeland Security withdrew its certification to host foreign students, claiming illegal retaliation by the Trump administration.
- The judge's decision emphasizes the importance of freedom of speech and thought in academic settings, allowing foreign nationals to continue their studies.
- This ruling comes amidst Harvard's ongoing efforts to secure $2.5 billion in funding and protect its international student population.
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Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame the situation as a judicial check on the Trump administration's policies regarding international students at Harvard. They emphasize the judge's role in preserving educational access, portraying the administration's actions as retaliatory and politically motivated, reflecting a bias against Trump's immigration strategies and a defense of academic freedom.
A court order from U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs in Boston allows foreign students to travel to the U.S. for study at Harvard while the case is ongoing.
The action would have put Harvard's 7,000 foreign students at risk of being in the U.S. illegally if they did not transfer.
A second injunction was issued in response to President Trump's different legal justification for blocking foreign students from entering the U.S. to attend Harvard.
President Trump is pressuring Harvard to make changes by attempting to stop the enrollment of foreign students.
Harvard sued the Department of Homeland Security for revoking its certification to host foreign students.
The university accused the White House of illegal retaliation for rejecting their demands.
Articles (7)
"…The preliminary injunction extends a temporary order the judge issued on 5 June that prevented the administration from enforcing a proclamation Trump signed a day earlier that cited national security concerns to justify why Harvard could no longer be trusted to host international students."
The Guardian·21h·"…The order from U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs in Boston preserves the ability of foreign students to travel to the U.S. for study at Harvard while the case is decided."
Boston Globe·19h·"…The judge's decision underscores the importance of safeguarding core constitutional rights, which are essential for a functioning democracy and a hedge against authoritarianism."
CNN·18h·"…The government's misplaced efforts to control a reputable academic institution and squelch diverse viewpoints seemingly because they are, in some instances, opposed to this Administration's own views, threaten these rights."
USA TODAY·20h·"…The order from U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs in Boston preserves the ability of foreign students to travel to the U.S. for study at Harvard while the case is decided."
ABC News·19h·"…The order from U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs in Boston preserves the ability of foreign students to travel to the U.S. for study at Harvard while the case is decided."
Associated Press·20h·"…A federal judge on Monday blocked President Donald Trump's administration from implementing his plan to bar foreign nationals from entering the United States to study at Harvard University."
Newsmax·1d·FAQ
The federal judge's decision to block the suspension emphasized the importance of freedom of speech and thought in academic settings, allowing international students to continue their studies without the imposed restrictions.
Approximately 6,800 international students at Harvard were affected by the suspension policy, representing about 27% of the total student enrollment for the 2024-25 academic year.
The Trump administration attempted to suspend new international students at Harvard citing concerns including allegations that Harvard failed to address antisemitism on campus, and aimed to cap international student enrollment at around 15%.
Harvard's international student enrollment has grown significantly, reaching a record 27% share of total enrollment with about 6,800 international students in the 2024-25 academic year. Enrollment increased by over 1,000 international students in the 2022-23 academic year alone, part of a nearly 25% total enrollment growth since 2006.
Harvard University filed a lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security after it withdrew certification for Harvard to host foreign students, alleging that the suspension was illegal retaliation by the Trump administration.
History
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