Federal Judge Blocks Trump Administration’s Attempt to Strip Harvard of Authority to Enroll International Students
BOSTON — A federal judge has temporarily blocked the Trump administration from revoking Harvard University’s certification to enroll international students, halting a move that drew immediate legal backlash and sparked concerns over academic freedom and the future of foreign student programs in the U.S.
The emergency order, issued Friday by U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs, comes just one day after Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem informed the Ivy League institution that its Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification would be terminated — a decision that would effectively prohibit Harvard from enrolling new or continuing international students.
In her sharply worded decision, Judge Burroughs wrote that Harvard had demonstrated it would face “immediate and irreparable injury” without court intervention, emphasizing the vital role international students play in the university’s academic and financial ecosystem.
“This court will not permit such a drastic administrative action without a full hearing on the merits,” Burroughs stated, preserving the status quo pending a scheduled hearing on May 27.
A Politically Charged Retaliation?
The legal battle erupted after the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), under Secretary Noem’s leadership, abruptly revoked Harvard’s SEVP certification Thursday, citing the university’s alleged non-compliance in handing over records on foreign students accused of “illegal and violent activities.”
The move followed weeks of escalating tension between the Trump administration and Harvard. In April, DHS canceled nearly $3 million in federal grants awarded to the university and simultaneously demanded sensitive student data. Harvard’s refusal to comply prompted what the university and critics have called a retaliatory strike.
“This retaliatory action threatens serious harm to the Harvard community and our country,” the university said in a public statement. “It undermines Harvard’s academic and research mission, and sets a dangerous precedent of political interference in higher education.”
Foreign Students in the Crosshairs
Harvard, which enrolls approximately 7,000 international students across its 13 schools, warned that the visa revocation would disrupt lives and derail research projects, particularly in science and technology fields. The students contribute not only to the university’s diversity but also to its global research partnerships and innovation ecosystem.
Higher education advocates say the administration’s move is emblematic of a broader crackdown on academic institutions perceived as critical of Trump’s policies. The action also raises alarms for other U.S. universities that rely heavily on international students — both for their tuition dollars and for their academic contributions.
“This is a direct attack on higher education,” said Janet Napolitano, former Secretary of Homeland Security and president emerita of the University of California. “It weaponizes immigration policy against intellectual institutions. That’s not governance — that’s political retribution.”
Legal Stakes and National Implications
Legal experts say the case could set a critical precedent in the balance of power between universities and the federal government. At the heart of the case is whether DHS can unilaterally revoke SEVP certification based on vague accusations or non-cooperation with federal data demands.
“The courts are going to be forced to address whether this was a procedurally fair and lawful action, or whether the administration crossed a constitutional line,” said legal analyst Martha Feldman of NYU School of Law.
Harvard’s swift legal response — filing suit within 24 hours of the DHS notice — underscores the high stakes and the institution’s intent to fight back with force. The university is seeking not only injunctive relief but a full reversal of the DHS decision, which it characterizes as “capricious, politically motivated, and unsupported by evidence.”
The Broader Backdrop: Trump vs. the Ivies
This confrontation is the latest flashpoint in a long-simmering ideological clash between the Trump administration and elite academic institutions. Trump has repeatedly targeted Ivy League schools as “left-wing indoctrination factories,” often accusing them of fostering anti-American sentiment and shielding foreign nationals from scrutiny.
Secretary Noem, a staunch Trump loyalist and rumored 2028 presidential contender, has taken an aggressive stance against what she has called “foreign infiltration in American education,” suggesting that U.S. universities have become “soft targets” for espionage and radicalization.
But critics argue that such rhetoric is a thin veil for nativist policies aimed at undermining academic independence and multiculturalism.
What Comes Next
The next hearing, set for May 27, will likely determine whether Judge Burroughs’ temporary injunction will be extended into a more permanent legal shield for Harvard. In the meantime, the university remains authorized to admit and retain international students for the upcoming academic cycle.
While the legal maneuvering plays out in court, university leaders across the country are watching closely — many concerned that they could be next in the administration’s crosshairs.
“Today it’s Harvard. Tomorrow it could be any university that defends the rights of its students and refuses to capitulate to federal overreach,” said David Leebron, former president of Rice University. “This is not just about visas — it’s about who controls the soul of American education.”
