On Thursday, a U.S. federal judge extended a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) blocking the Trump administration from barring Harvard University from enrolling international students. Judge Allison Burroughs ordered that the TRO \"will remain in place\" while both sides prepare proposed injunction orders, keeping Harvard's global classrooms open for now.
Background: On May 22, the Department of Homeland Security revoked Harvard's certification under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program, effectively cutting off new visas for international students. Harvard responded on May 23 by filing a lawsuit. That same day, Judge Burroughs issued the initial TRO to preserve the status quo until a hearing.
Since then, the U.S. Department of Justice filed a notice noting that Harvard has 30 days to contest the policy. Meanwhile, the Trump administration signaled a softened stance after the judiciary intervened, though it continues to press Harvard. President Trump recently suggested capping foreign enrollment at 15 percent and demanded a list of all international students.
Harvard's own data show that international students made up 27 percent of its fall 2023 enrollment—nearly 6,800 students and scholars from over 140 countries and regions, most in graduate programs. The university has also faced frozen funds, threats to its tax-exempt status, and multiple investigations after resisting government demands on governance, hiring, and diversity initiatives.
As the case moves forward, this ruling underscores the ongoing tug-of-war over higher education's global reach and the balance between campus diversity and federal oversight.
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Judge blocks Trump move to ban international students at Harvard
cgtn.com
