On June 6, 2025, a US federal court blocked former President Donald Trump’s latest order aimed at stopping most foreign students from enrolling at Harvard University. The ruling comes as part of an ongoing legal battle between Trump’s administration and the prestigious university.
The White House proclamation, issued late Wednesday, sought to bar most new international students from entering the US to study at Harvard. It also warned that existing foreign students risked losing their visas.
The order claimed Harvard had become “an unsuitable destination for foreign students and researchers.” However, Harvard responded quickly by filing an amended complaint in federal court. The university argued that this is not the first time the administration has tried to interfere with its student enrollment and governance.
Harvard stated that the ban is part of a “concerted and escalating campaign” by the government to punish the university for exercising its First Amendment rights. These rights include rejecting government control over Harvard’s curriculum, faculty, and student activities.
US District Judge Allison Burroughs ruled that the government cannot enforce Trump’s proclamation, noting that without a temporary restraining order, Harvard would face “immediate and irreparable injury.” This is not the first time the judge has blocked a similar Trump effort targeting international students at Harvard.
The Trump administration has also cut about \$3.2 billion in federal grants and contracts to Harvard and threatened to deny future federal funding. Harvard has been a focal point in Trump’s campaign against top universities, accusing them of promoting liberal or “woke” ideologies.
International students make up 27 percent of Harvard’s enrollment for the 2024-2025 academic year and provide significant financial support to the university.
While the administration has the legal authority to bar certain groups of foreigners for public interest reasons, Harvard insists this ban serves no such interest. Instead, it claims the ban is a “government vendetta” against the university.
Trump’s administration has targeted other elite universities as well, such as Columbia University, which faces threats over alleged mishandling of harassment claims.
This court decision is a major win for Harvard and international students, highlighting ongoing conflicts over immigration, education, and free speech rights in the US.
