The U.S. State Department instructed its diplomatic missions worldwide to recommence the processing of student and exchange visitor visas for Harvard University on Friday. This directive followed a judicial ruling that put a stop to President Donald Trump’s recent efforts to prevent international students from attending the university.
This new directive replaced an earlier one that had instructed consular posts to deny visa applications for students and researchers aiming to enrol at Harvard, a directive that had been countered by a temporary restraining order (TRO) from U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs.
According to the cable, “Effective immediately, consular sections must resume processing of Harvard University student and exchange visitor visas,” and specified that “no such applications should be refused” as previously mandated by the presidential order. The communication was endorsed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
The shift back to “standard processing” aligns with the TRO and highlights the department’s compliance with the judicial ruling. Concerns have been raised regarding whether foreign consulates are appropriately issuing student visas for individuals intending to attend Harvard as part of the ongoing legal dispute between the university and the Trump administration. Harvard had previously informed Judge Burroughs of challenges faced by visa applicants.
The judge expressed her apprehension that prospective students from abroad had encountered difficulties in obtaining visas from certain U.S. embassies. However, she has mandated that the administration maintain the existing circumstances for the university’s international student body. Another significant court hearing is scheduled for the following week.
In a related development, a substantial number of Harvard alumni have expressed their support for the institution. According to reports monitored by the beacon NG newspaper on CNN, this unprecedented initiative aims to back Harvard as it contests the Trump administration’s decision to cut over $2.2 billion in federal funding.
More than 12,000 graduates, spanning from the class of 1950 to the recent class of 2025, have signed an amicus brief—a legal document submitted by a third party to provide the court with additional insights regarding the case.
The alumni, who come from diverse backgrounds, are united by their Harvard education and concern for the university’s future. Among the notable signatories are a Wisconsin beer brewer, comedian Conan O’Brien, an Ohio fighter pilot, author Margaret Atwood, a South Dakota tribal leader, and Massachusetts Democratic Governor Maura Healey, alongside various other prominent figures from communities across the nation and the globe.
This group claims to have created the largest known alumni brief in history from a single institution. The alumni believe this is a pivotal moment as Harvard defends itself, potentially setting a precedent for other colleges and universities amid ongoing debates concerning academic freedom, federal funding, and campus governance.
