Federal judge extends order blocking Trump’s ban on foreign students at Harvard

A federal judge on Thursday extended an order blocking the Trump administration’s attempt to bar Harvard University from enrolling foreign students. U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs granted Harvard’s request for a preliminary injunction, blocking the government’s action until the case is decided. It had already been paused since last week, when Burroughs issued a temporary restraining order.

Meanwhile, speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, President Donald Trump recommended reducing the number of international students at Harvard to 15%, adding to a recent run of comments insulting the university and demeaning its student body.

The US government’s de-certification of Harvard University’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) was a major setback for one of the most coveted Ivy League colleges in America.

This essentially meant that for the 2025–2026 academic year, Harvard would not be able to sponsor F and J visas for scholars and international students.

In a matter of hours, Harvard moved the court. Harvard’s application was approved by the court, enabling the university to keep accepting scholars and students from abroad while the issue is pending. The federal judge granted Harvard a temporary restraining order in its lawsuit to prevent the Trump administration from revoking its ability to admit overseas students.

According to the lawsuit filed by Harvard, the university would lose 25 percent of its total students. To decide whether to prolong the temporary order, a hearing has been scheduled for Thursday, May 29.

If Harvard’s SEVP revocation is upheld, it could strip thousands of student visa holders of their legal status overnight, rendering them and more than 300 dependents subject to deportation.

Students who have already enrolled to Harvard’s 2025-2026 session, paid tuition fees, secured their F-1 or J-1 study visas, and bought their plane tickets will no longer be able to enter the Harvard classroom.

For those foreign students who haven’t yet got their visas, there’s another piece of bad news. The US has directed all American consulates across the world to stop scheduling visa interviews. International students looking for appointments for F, J or M visas will likely face delays.

Existing students would have no choice but to return home or transfer to another SEVP-certified university. Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) has invited international Harvard University students and those with confirmed Harvard degree offers to continue their academic pursuits at HKUST.

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology announced an open invitation to international undergraduate and postgraduate students currently enrolled at Harvard University, as well as those holding confirmed offers for Harvard degree programs, to continue their studies at HKUST.

The recent Harvard incident might discourage foreign students from applying and enrolling in the future, even if Harvard prevails in the ultimate decision.

As of now, the 72-hour deadline does not stand as the temporary restraining order is in effect. A hearing has been set for Thursday, May 29, to determine whether the temporary order should be extended. Harvard would need to submit a preliminary injunction to prevent the DHS directive from taking effect once the TRO expires. Also, Harvard is no longer legally required to turn over documents and evidence requested by the DHS.

The Trump administration, acting on its claims that Harvard has failed to stamp out antisemitism on campus, froze more than $2 billion in research grants and contracts in April. Further, the Trump administration has asked federal agencies to cancel an estimated $100 million worth of remaining contracts with Harvard by June 6.