Harvard news: Judge puts temporary hold on President Donald Trump's latest ban on university's foreign students

WASHINGTON — A federal judge has temporarily stopped President Donald Trump’s order that prevented foreign students from coming to the U.S. to study at Harvard University.

Trump wanted to stop Harvard, the oldest and wealthiest college in the country, from having a large number of international students, who play a significant role in its academic research and scholarship.

This is the second time in a month that Harvard’s new foreign students have faced uncertainty about their future plans, but both times, a court has stepped in to help. Alan Wang, a 22-year-old from China getting ready to start a graduate program at Harvard in August, expressed how it has been a tumultuous experience for him.

“I cannot plan my life when everything keeps going back and forth. Give me some certainty: Can I go or not?” Wang said.

Wang was born and raised in China but attended college in the U.S. He’s now in China for summer vacation. Recently he has been exploring options in countries with more appealing immigration policies, including Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

Harvard filed a legal challenge on Thursday, asking for a judge to block Trump’s order and calling it illegal retaliation for Harvard’s rejection of White House demands. Harvard said the president was attempting an end-run around a previous court order.

A few hours later, U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs in Boston issued a temporary restraining order against Trump’s proclamation. Harvard, she said, had demonstrated it would sustain “immediate and irreparable injury” before she would have an opportunity to hear from the parties in the lawsuit.

Burroughs also extended the temporary hold she placed on the administration’s previous attempt to end Harvard’s enrollment of international students. Last month, the Department of Homeland Security revoked Harvard’s certification to host foreign students and issue paperwork to them for their visas, only to have Burroughs block the action. Trump’s order this week invoked a different legal authority.

A court hearing is scheduled for June 16 to decide if the judge will extend the block on Trump’s proclamation.

If Trump’s measure were to survive the court challenge, it would block thousands of students who are scheduled to go to Harvard’s campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts, for the summer and fall terms. It would also direct the State Department to consider revoking visas for Harvard students already in the U.S.

“Harvard’s more than 7,000 F-1 and J-1 visa holders – and their dependents – have become pawns in the government’s escalating campaign of retaliation,” Harvard wrote Thursday in a court filing.

While the court case proceeds, Harvard is making contingency plans so students and visiting scholars can continue their work at the university, President Alan Garber said in a message to the campus and alumni.

“Each of us is part of a truly global university community,” Garber said Thursday. “We know that the benefits of bringing talented people together from around the world are unique and irreplaceable.”

Trump’s proclamation invoked a broad law allowing the president to block “any class of aliens” whose entry would be detrimental to U.S. interests. It’s the same basis for a new travel ban blocking citizens of 12 countries and restricting access for those from seven others.

In its challenge, Harvard said Trump contradicted himself by raising security concerns about incoming Harvard students while also saying they would be welcome if they attend other U.S. universities.

“Not only does this undermine any national security claim related to the entry of these individuals, it lays bare the Proclamation’s true purpose: to punish Harvard as a disfavored institution,” the school wrote.

Harvard has attracted a growing number of the brightest minds from around the world, with international enrollment growing from 11% of the student body three decades ago to 26% today.

Rising international enrollment has made Harvard and other elite colleges uniquely vulnerable to Trump’s crackdown on foreign students. Republicans have been seeking to force overhauls of the nation’s top colleges, which they see as hotbeds of “woke” and antisemitic viewpoints.

Garber says the university has made changes to combat antisemitism. But Harvard, he said, will not stray from its “core, legally-protected principles,” even after receiving federal ultimatums.

Trump’s administration also has taken steps to withhold federal funding from Harvard since it rejected White House demands related to campus protests, admissions, hiring and more. Harvard’s $53 billion endowment allows it to weather the loss of funding for a time, although Garber has warned of “difficult decisions and sacrifices” to come.

Associated Press writer Chrissie Thompson in Spokane, Washington, contributed to this report.

The Associated Press’ education coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. The AP is solely responsible for all content. Find the AP’s standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.

The video in the player above is from an earlier report.

Copyright © 2025 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.

You May Also Like
Jury skepticism of experts could determine outcome in Karen Read murder trial: former judge

Former judge says jury’s doubt about experts may impact Karen Read murder trial result

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Whenever there’s a battle…
Supreme Court gives DOGE access to Social Security data

Supreme Court grants access to Social Security data for DOGE

Granting DOGE access to sensitive data within the Social Security Administration, the…
The Trump broken hearts club: All the president's jilted bromances in full… as bitter Elon Musk fight escalates

Unraveling Trump’s shattered relationships: A close look at the president’s failed friendships, including the escalating feud with Elon Musk

Donald Trump has for decades been known for his public fallouts with…
Dems Are Losing Their Minds, Launching the Usual Fear Tactics After SCOTUS Lets DOGE Get on With Its Work

Democrats are panicking and using typical scare tactics following SCOTUS decision to let DOGE continue its work.

It may sound cliché to reiterate this point, but it keeps surfacing…
'Cannon' test boosts Karen Read’s defense, showing taillight damage consistent with thrown bar glass

Karen Read’s defense gets a boost from ‘Cannon’ test, revealing taillight damage that matches glass thrown at her

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Karen Read’s legal team…
What Time Is ‘Resident Alien’ On Tonight? Channel, Where To Watch ‘Resident Alien’ Season 4

When Does ‘Resident Alien’ Come On Tonight? TV Channel, How to Watch Season 4 of ‘Resident Alien’

Attention, Earthlings! For the first time in over a year, a new…
The truth about Hannah Kobayashi's 'disappearance' finally revealed... by FAKE husband who helped her plot the whole thing

Fake husband confesses to helping Hannah Kobayashi fake her own ‘disappearance’

The fake husband of the Hawaii woman who triggered a nationwide manhunt…
Pixar drops 3 new 'Elio' extended clips: Olga confronts Elio, an alien encounter, and galactic negotiations. Watch Now

Revealed: 3 Exciting New ‘Elio’ Extended Clips by Pixar – Featuring Olga, an Alien Encounter, and Galactic Negotiations! Watch Now

Pixar has just unveiled three extended clips from its upcoming animated film…
Sade Robinson case: Jury finds Milwaukee man Maxwell Anderson guilty of killing, dismembering 19-year-old woman after trial

Maxwell Anderson Convicted of Killing and Dismembering Sade Robinson in Milwaukee – Jury’s Verdict after Trial

MILWAUKEE — A jury found a Milwaukee man guilty Friday of killing…
WWE icon Ric Flair reveals shock cancer diagnosis

Wrestling legend Ric Flair shares surprising news about cancer diagnosis

WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair has revealed he has been diagnosed…
Trump breaks silence on escalating feud with Elon Musk and teases his next move

Trump speaks out about growing disagreement with Elon Musk and hints at his upcoming action

President Donald Trump has, at last, addressed the ongoing public disagreement with…
Experienced climber dies after 3,000-foot plummet from North America's highest peak

An experienced climber tragically falls to their death from North America’s tallest mountain after a 3,000-foot drop.

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! A Seattle man died…