Federal Judge Halts Trump Administration's Attempt to Bar Harvard from Enrolling International Students

A federal judge has issued a temporary restraining order preventing the Trump administration from revoking Harvard University's ability to enroll international students. This decision comes in response to a lawsuit filed by Harvard, which argued that the administration's move violated constitutional rights and would cause immediate and irreparable harm to the university and its international student body.

The Department of Homeland Security had abruptly revoked Harvard's certification to enroll foreign students, citing concerns about campus safety and alleged ties to foreign entities. Harvard countered these claims, asserting that the government's actions were retaliatory and lacked legal justification.

With nearly 6,800 international students comprising over 27% of its student population, Harvard emphasized the significant impact such a ban would have on its academic community and global standing. The temporary restraining order allows these students to continue their studies while legal proceedings are underway.

This case underscores the ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and higher education institutions over issues of academic freedom, immigration policies, and institutional autonomy.