WASHINGTON — A recent judicial decision has paused the enforcement of a presidential proclamation by Donald Trump, which aimed to bar foreign students from entering the United States to attend Harvard University. This proclamation marked another effort by Trump’s administration to challenge the enrollment of international students at the prestigious institution, which relies heavily on this demographic for significant research and academic scholarship.
This injunction represents the second intervention by the courts in the last month concerning Harvard’s incoming international students, who have faced severe uncertainty regarding their educational plans. Alan Wang, a 22-year-old from China poised to start a graduate program at Harvard in August, spoke about the emotional turmoil of the situation. “How can I make any decisions about my future when everything is so unpredictable? I need to know if I can go or not,” Wang remarked. Born in China, he had previously studied in the U.S. and is now considering educational opportunities in countries with more welcoming immigration policies, such as Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Harvard University responded to the proclamation with a legal challenge, describing Trump’s directive as unlawful retaliation against the university for not complying with certain White House expectations. Within hours of the filing, U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs in Boston issued a temporary restraining order, which she explained was necessary to prevent imminent harm to Harvard before hearing all parties involved in the lawsuit.
Beyond the immediate relief, Burroughs extended her previous block of administrative actions that aimed to halt Harvard’s enrollment of foreign students. Earlier efforts by the Department of Homeland Security to revoke Harvard’s ability to process visas for these students were similarly halted by Burroughs, though the recent order from Trump cited different legal grounds.
The focus now shifts to a court hearing set for June 16, which will determine whether the temporary block on Trump’s proclamation will remain in place. If the administration’s measure prevails in court, thousands of students planning to return for the summer and fall sessions at Harvard could be affected, and the State Department might revoke visas for current students.
Harvard, which highlights the challenges for its more than 7,000 international students and their families, contends that these individuals have become tools in a federal campaign of reprisal. As the legal battle continues, Harvard’s leadership, including President Alan Garber, is working on strategies to ensure ongoing educational opportunities despite potential disruptions.
Garber provided reassurance to the university community, emphasizing the global nature of Harvard and the irreplaceable value of its diverse academic environment. Meanwhile, Trump’s proclamation, grounded in a legal provision allowing the blocking of certain groups deemed harmful to national interests, mirrors recent travel bans affecting several countries.
In its defense, Harvard argues the administration’s actions are inconsistent, noting the alleged security threat posed by its students is not applied to those pursuing studies at other universities. This, Harvard contends, reveals the true agenda behind the proclamation: punishing the institution due to differing political views.
The growing proportion of international students at Harvard, which has increased from 11% of the student body three decades ago to 26% today, makes it particularly susceptible to the administration’s policies on foreign students. This vulnerability coincides with initiatives by Republicans to prompt reforms at elite colleges perceived to foster progressive or antisemitic ideologies.
Despite federal steps to pressure the university, including threats to cut funding over its handling of protests and other matters, Harvard’s significant endowment offers a buffer, although it anticipates challenging adjustments ahead. Still, President Garber upholds the university’s commitment to its foundational values, even amid political pressures.