Judge Blocks Trump Visa Ban on Harvard Foreign Students

U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs issued a temporary restraining order on June 5, blocking a proclamation by Donald Trump that banned foreign students and teachers from obtaining visas to attend Harvard University. The president had justified the six-month ban by citing national security concerns, alleging that Harvard failed to report crimes committed by foreign students and maintained ties to foreign adversaries, including China. The ruling prevents the administration from implementing the ban until a hearing on June 16, with the judge noting the directive would cause immediate and irreparable injury.

Following the court order, the U.S. State Department instructed consulates worldwide on June 6 to resume processing visa applications for international students admitted to Harvard. This reversal ended a second attempt by the administration to restrict the university's international enrollment. The conflict follows a broader campaign against the institution, including the freezing of $2.2 billion in federal research grants and a May 22 attempt by the Department of Homeland Security to strip Harvard of its Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification, which was also blocked by the court.

Harvard University condemned the measures as a government vendetta and illegal retaliation for its refusal to comply with White House demands regarding governance, curriculum, and the elimination of diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. Education Secretary Linda McMahon later claimed the universities were making progress in meeting federal demands. The dispute drew international criticism, with the Government of China opposing the politicization of educational cooperation.