Federal Court Temporarily Blocks Harvard from Losing International Student Status
A federal judge in Massachusetts has decided to pause the Trump administration’s initiative to strip Harvard University of its ability to host international students. The ruling, issued by U.S. District Judge Allison D. Burroughs, came after Harvard argued that losing its certification under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) would cause "immediate and irreparable harm."
The judge’s temporary restraining order means that, for now, Harvard can continue to sponsor its international students for U.S. visas. This order is seen as essential to avoid disruptions while the case continues through the courts.
Some experts believe this order may only delay a more significant legal battle between Harvard and the Trump administration. Critics argue that the administration’s moves could unfairly burden the prestigious institution.
Harvard Law professor Noah Feldman remarked that this situation reflects President Trump’s efforts to impose his views broadly, raising questions about the fairness of such measures. Since Trump took office, his administration has already frozen over $2 billion in funding to Harvard and initiated multiple investigations involving various federal agencies.
While this temporary ruling allows Harvard to maintain its SEVP certification for the moment, it does not provide a permanent solution. As the administration plans to appeal, the future remains uncertain. This courtroom drama could lead to a more favorable ruling for the administration in higher courts.
If Harvard were to lose its SEVP certification—something it has held for about 70 years—thousands of international students would face significant challenges in securing their visa status. Many students might be left with just 180 days to transfer to another U.S. university.
Experts say this creates a "chilling effect," potentially deterring international students from applying or enrolling at Harvard due to fears of instability.
Even if Trump’s administration does not win outright, the policies themselves may have already succeeded in influencing educational choices. While Harvard’s ability to maintain a diverse student body could be affected, experts agree that the university is not defenseless against these challenges.
In fact, Harvard might easily find qualified U.S. students to fill any vacancies left by international students if needed. The university’s "need-blind" admissions policy ensures they do not consider financial need when admitting students, making it easier to adapt to changes in their applicant pool.
Ultimately, while the uncertainty stemming from this conflict could be detrimental, Harvard’s financial structure and resources position it to navigate these challenges more effectively than many other institutions.
