A US federal court has issued a temporary restraining order against former President Donald Trump’s latest effort to bar international students from enrolling at Harvard University, marking a new chapter in the escalating confrontation between Trump and the elite institution.
Late Wednesday, the Trump administration issued a proclamation aiming to block the entry of most new international students at Harvard and warned that even current foreign enrollees could face visa termination. The proclamation accused Harvard of being “an unsuitable destination for foreign students and researchers,” citing ideological disputes and a failure to comply with federal oversight demands.
In response, Harvard swiftly amended an existing lawsuit, describing the move as part of “a concerted and escalating campaign of retaliation by the government” in response to the university’s resistance to federal attempts to influence its governance, curriculum, and academic freedom.
US District Judge Allison Burroughs, who previously blocked a similar Trump order, ruled on Thursday that the latest measure cannot be enforced at this time. She stated Harvard had convincingly demonstrated the risk of “immediate and irreparable injury” without court intervention.
This latest legal clash adds to an already turbulent relationship between the Trump administration and Harvard. The university has reportedly lost approximately $3.2 billion in federal funding and contracts as a result of its standoff with the government. Harvard has also been excluded from future funding prospects.
International students — who made up 27% of Harvard’s student population for the 2024–2025 academic year — are both a cultural asset and significant revenue source for the institution. In its court filing, Harvard acknowledged the president’s broad immigration powers but argued that this action was not made in national interest.
“The President’s actions thus are not undertaken to protect the ‘interests of the United States’ but instead to pursue a government vendetta against Harvard,” the university stated.
Trump’s latest push against elite universities has also extended to Columbia University, where his education secretary recently threatened to revoke accreditation and funding over alleged mishandling of anti-Semitic incidents.
While some institutions have conceded to administration demands, Harvard continues to resist, positioning itself as a defender of academic independence and free expression in a deeply polarized political climate.
What you should know
Harvard University successfully obtained a temporary court order halting former President Donald Trump’s latest attempt to bar international students.
The legal standoff underscores a broader campaign by Trump to reshape higher education policy, particularly at institutions seen as ideologically opposed to his administration.
