A U.S. federal judge has temporarily blocked the Trump administration’s controversial decision to revoke Harvard University’s ability to enroll foreign students, offering a brief reprieve amid rising concerns among the institution’s international community.

The temporary restraining order, issued by Judge Allison Burroughs on Friday, halts the Department of Homeland Security’s recent move to remove Harvard from the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) — a vital database used to manage student visas.

Harvard filed a lawsuit shortly after the decision, calling the move a “blatant violation of the law” and accusing the government of retaliating against the university for resisting political interference in its academic policies. 

The administration had cited allegations of antisemitism and bias in hiring practices — claims Harvard denies.

“This abrupt action threatens to erase nearly a quarter of our student body,” Harvard argued in its court filing. 

University President Alan Garber condemned the measure as part of a broader effort to punish Harvard for defending its academic independence. 
The ruling came as a relief to many international students, some of whom feared immediate deportation. “We didn’t sign up for this,” said one junior student from the UK. “It’s surreal to think your education can be disrupted like this overnight.”

There are roughly 6,800 international students at Harvard, representing over 27% of the total enrollment. 

Experts warn that removing them would not only harm the university’s global reputation but also significantly impact its finances.

President Trump, addressing the matter from the Oval Office, warned that “Harvard must change,” hinting at broader crackdowns on elite universities. 

A final decision is yet to be made, with the next court hearing scheduled for May 29 in Boston.

Source: BBC

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