In a landmark decision, a US federal judge has temporarily blocked the Trump administration's move to revoke Harvard University's ability to enroll international students this fall. The preliminary injunction, issued late Wednesday, offers relief to over 30,000 overseas scholars who rely on student visas to pursue their degrees in the US.
The policy at the heart of the dispute was announced by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in July. It would force foreign students to take at least one in-person class or face deportation if their programs shift fully online due to COVID-19. Harvard and MIT swiftly filed suit, arguing that the rule is arbitrary, disrupts academic progress, and threatens the livelihoods of affected students.
The judge sided with the universities, writing that they "are likely to succeed on the merits" of their challenge and would suffer "irreparable harm" if the policy went into effect. The court deemed the ICE directive "arbitrary and capricious," pausing its enforcement while the legal battle continues.
Harvard's administration praised the ruling as a victory for global education. A university spokesperson said, "This decision allows our international community to continue their studies without fear of sudden displacement, preserving the diverse exchange of ideas that defines our campus."
International education advocates warn that the policy could have sent shockwaves far beyond Cambridge, Massachusetts. More than 1 million international students study across US campuses, contributing over $40 billion annually to the economy and enriching classrooms with diverse perspectives.
The injunction is temporary, and hearings are set to resume in mid-August. For now, thousands of students can pause worries about their visa status, but the ruling highlights the tenuous balance between public health policies and the global flow of talent.
Reference(s):
Judge halts Trump's ban on foreign students at Harvard – for now
cgtn.com
