A federal judge issued a ruling on Friday, 23rd of May, 2025 that prevents the Trump administration from halting Harvard University’s enrollment of international students. The Ivy League institution criticized this move as an unconstitutional act of retaliation for not complying with the administration’s political requests.
In a legal complaint submitted earlier in the day to a federal court in Boston, Harvard argued that the government’s decision infringes upon the First Amendment and would have an “immediate and devastating effect” on the university and over 7,000 visa holders. Harvard emphasized that the government’s actions threaten to eliminate a significant portion of its student population—international students who play a crucial role in the university’s community and mission. The lawsuit stated, “Without its international students, Harvard is not Harvard.”
U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs’ decision temporarily suspends the penalties against Harvard while the lawsuit proceeds. The Trump administration’s actions have created uncertainty on campus just days before graduation, leaving international students, who contribute to research, teaching, and athletics, to weigh their options of transferring or potentially losing their legal residency in the U.S.
The consequences of the administration’s actions would be particularly felt in graduate programs like the Harvard Kennedy School, where nearly half of the students are from abroad, and the Harvard Business School, which has about one-third international enrollment. In addition to affecting current students, this initiative would prevent thousands of prospective students from enrolling in upcoming summer and fall sessions.
Harvard contended that this situation places it at a competitive disadvantage in attracting the best global talent. Even if the university eventually regains the ability to accept international students, the lawsuit expressed concern that future applicants might hesitate to apply due to fears of potential government backlash. If the administration’s decision remains in effect, Harvard indicated it would be unable to admit new international students for at least the next two academic years, as schools losing federal certification cannot reapply for a year afterward.
