On Friday, U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs delivered a key ruling that temporarily blocks the Trump administration's efforts to strip Harvard University of its status to enroll international students. This decision pauses the administration's bid to revoke Harvard's certification in the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), ensuring that nearly 7,000 students from around the world can continue their studies as the case moves forward.
Harvard University filed a lawsuit calling the Department of Homeland Security's May 22 move illegal retaliation after the university resisted demands to overhaul its policies on campus protests, admissions, hiring and more. Hours after the suit was filed, Judge Burroughs halted the certification revocation, then extended her hold when the White House blocked foreign students from entering the U.S. in early June.
The standoff has global implications: students in fields from technology and business to sustainability and human rights now face uncertainty over visas, research funding and academic freedom. The Trump administration has also cut more than $2.6 billion in federal research grants to Harvard, ended contracts and even threatened to revoke its tax-exempt status amid broader political tensions.
For now, Harvard remains a hub for campus innovation and cross-border collaboration. As the legal battle continues, all eyes are on the judicial process and its impact on the future of international education in America.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
