In a striking legal development, a federal judge has temporarily blocked the Trump administration from stripping Harvard University of its certification to host international students.
The court order, issued by U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs, comes just one day after the Department of Homeland Security revoked Harvard’s status under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), a designation essential for enrolling foreign students.
The decision follows mounting tensions between the Trump administration and some of the country’s top universities, as federal officials escalate efforts to scrutinise and pressure academic institutions. The Department claimed Harvard failed to adequately address antisemitism on campus and had not complied with demands for certain student records and audiovisual materials related to student conduct. Harvard countered that it had fulfilled all legal obligations and labelled the demands for surveillance content as legally unfounded and intrusive.
Harvard President Alan Garber described the move as “an unlawful and politically motivated assault on the academic freedom and autonomy of America’s leading research universities.” In a legal filing, the university warned that revoking its certification would result in “immediate and irreparable harm,” including disruption to academic operations and the risk of immigration status loss for over 7,000 international students – more than a quarter of its student body.
The university also noted that the re-certification process could take months, potentially preventing the admission of international students for two consecutive academic years. “This is not just about Harvard,” the filing stated. “This is about the principle that the federal government cannot weaponise immigration law to silence dissent or punish disfavoured institutions.”
The action against Harvard is seen as part of a broader campaign by the administration to exert influence over elite universities, with threats ranging from tax-exempt status reviews to withholding federal funds, particularly in response to campus protests and political criticism.
The timing of the government’s decision-days before Harvard’s commencement-sparked anxiety among students. “It feels like we’re being used as pawns in a political game,” said one international graduate, uncertain whether they would be allowed to remain in the country or return after travelling abroad.
With the temporary restraining order in place, Harvard retains its certification for now.
A follow-up court hearing is set for May 29. The university maintains its full compliance with legal requirements and insists the government’s actions are punitive. “Without urgent intervention, this politically driven retribution will do lasting damage to one of the world’s most respected academic institutions-and to the thousands of students whose futures depend on it,” Harvard stated.
