MWE Correspondent
A U.S. federal judge has issued a temporary restraining order against the Trump administration, blocking its controversial attempt to revoke the ability of Harvard University to enroll international students.
The ruling was handed down by U.S. District Judge Allison D. Burroughs in Boston, following a lawsuit filed by the university on Thursday. The legal action responded to a decision by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to terminate Harvard’s access to the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)—a federal platform that manages visa records for foreign students.
The next court hearing is scheduled for May 29, as the case unfolds in what many see as a defining moment for international education and academic independence in the United States.
Harvard’s Stance: Academic Freedom Under Threat
In its complaint, the university accused the government of launching a politically motivated attack aimed at punishing the institution for resisting federal pressure to alter its admissions practices and faculty hiring policies.
“With the stroke of a pen, the government has sought to erase a quarter of Harvard’s student body,” the university wrote in its lawsuit. International students, who often comprise more than 25% of the campus population, have long been essential to Harvard’s mission, it added.
Alan M. Garber, the university’s interim president, strongly condemned the government’s move in a letter to students and faculty. “We condemn this unlawful and unwarranted action,” he wrote, describing the attempt to revoke SEVP access as part of a broader “retaliation campaign” against Harvard for preserving its academic independence.
Accusations of Antisemitism and Government Overreach
Federal officials have justified the decision by accusing Harvard of failing to combat rising antisemitism on campus, and tolerating individuals or groups they describe as “pro-terrorist agitators.”
These claims, widely criticized by free speech advocates and academic groups, have not been backed by concrete evidence. Harvard has denied all allegations of antisemitism and insists that disciplinary action is taken when students violate university codes of conduct.
In response to the judge’s order, White House deputy press secretary Abigail Jackson accused the court of having a “liberal agenda” and overstepping its role. “These unelected judges have no right to stop the Trump Administration from exercising rightful control over immigration and national security policy,” she said in a statement.
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She went further, claiming: “If only Harvard cared this much about ending the scourge of anti-American, antisemitic, pro-terrorist agitators on their campus, they wouldn’t be in this situation to begin with.”
International Students Left in Limbo
The ruling temporarily protects thousands of international students—some of whom have already begun expressing fear and uncertainty about their ability to remain in the U.S. or continue their studies.
In interviews with student media, several students said they felt “targeted” and “used as political pawns.” Others warned of the long-term damage to America’s reputation as a global leader in higher education.
Harvard’s international student body represents over 150 countries, and includes students in cutting-edge research areas such as climate science, biomedical engineering, and artificial intelligence.
What’s Next?
Legal analysts say the court’s next steps could shape how much power the federal government has over universities—especially when politics enters the equation. As the May 29 hearing approaches, observers across the academic and legal communities are preparing for what may become a landmark case in defining the boundaries of academic freedom and immigration oversight.
Until then, the temporary restraining order stands—offering a brief but critical reprieve for thousands of students and reaffirming, for now, the principle that universities can make academic decisions without undue political interference.
