Judge Blocks Trump Visa Ban Targeting Harvard University
A federal judge blocked President Donald Trump's order banning foreign students from attending Harvard University, which the school called illegal retaliation for defying White House demands.
President Donald Trump signed a proclamation on June 4, 2025, blocking nearly all foreign students from entering the United States to attend Harvard University for six months. The administration justified the ban by citing national security concerns, alleging that Harvard failed to report crimes committed by foreign students, tolerated antisemitism, and maintained entanglements with foreign adversaries. The order also authorized the potential revocation of visas for over 7,000 current F-1 and J-1 visa holders.
Harvard University immediately challenged the directive as a "government vendetta" and illegal retaliation for the school's refusal to meet administration demands regarding governance, curriculum, and the elimination of diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. On June 5, U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs issued a temporary restraining order, ruling that the ban would cause "immediate and irreparable injury." Despite the order, Harvard reported that some affiliates were detained at Boston Logan International Airport or denied entry in Munich.
The visa conflict is part of a broader federal campaign against the university. The Department of Homeland Security stripped Harvard of its Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification on May 22, and a multiagency task force froze approximately $2.2 billion in research grants. Education Secretary Linda McMahon later claimed the universities were making progress in meeting federal demands. Following the court's intervention, the U.S. State Department instructed consulates on June 6 to resume processing Harvard student visas.
