US federal judge halts policy banning Harvard University from enrolling international students

A US federal judge on Thursday extended a Temporary Restraining Order on Trump Administration's policy that aimed to prevent Harvard University from enrolling international students.

Temporary Restraining Order "will remain in place" while parties confer and submit either a joint proposed preliminary injunction order or individual proposed orders for the judge to consider, after which time a final preliminary injunction order will be issued, according to court document from the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts.

Judge Allison Burroughs held a hearing on the case Thursday morning.

On May 22, the Homeland Security Department announced the revocation of Harvard University's certification under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program, effectively barring the university from enrolling international students.

On May 23, Harvard University filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration over this policy. On the same day, Burroughs issued a temporary restraining order against the Trump administration's ban, requiring that the status quo be maintained until a hearing could be held.

Before the hearing on Thursday, the US Justice Department submitted a notice to the court. This document, dated May 28, was issued by the Homeland Security Department to Harvard. The notice stated that the Trump administration would give Harvard 30 days to contest the policy. CNN reported that this move marked a shift in the administration's previously hardline stance on the issue following judicial intervention.

At the same time, the Trump administration continued to exert pressure on Harvard. On Wednesday, Trump stated that the proportion of foreign students at Harvard should be limited to about 15 percent. Additionally, Trump reiterated his demand for the university to submit a list of its foreign students.

According to data from Harvard University, as of the fall semester of 2023, international students accounted for more than 27 percent of the total student population. Currently, Harvard enrolls nearly 6,800 international students and scholars from over 140 countries and regions, most of whom are pursuing graduate programs.

The revocation of Harvard's ability to enroll international students is one of the latest moves by the Trump administration to pressure the university. Previously, Harvard had billions of dollars in funds frozen after refusing the government's demands for significant reforms to its governance structure, hiring practices, and admissions policies.

The Trump administration also threatened to revoke its tax-exempt status and launched multiple investigations into the university.

Since returning to the White House, Trump has targeted several US universities, warning that failure to adjust their policies would result in funding cuts. Key demands from the Trump administration include eradicating anti-Semitism on campus and eliminating diversity initiatives favoring minority groups.

US public opinion widely believes that the Trump administration has focused on institutions like Harvard because Republicans view these universities as strongholds of leftist liberals or Democrats.