Federal Judge Halts Trump Administration’s Ban on Harvard Enrolling International Students

Report by Safarti Tarjuman International Desk

A U.S. federal judge issued a temporary restraining order on Friday blocking the Trump administration’s sudden policy banning Harvard University from enrolling international students, following the Ivy League school’s immediate legal challenge.

U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs in Boston granted emergency relief late Friday morning, freezing the new federal policy less than 24 hours after its imposition. Harvard’s lawsuit, filed the same day, claims the ban was unconstitutional retaliation for the university’s refusal to comply with previous White House demands.

Harvard’s legal filing asserts that the administration’s move violates the First Amendment and would cause irreparable damage to the university and over 7,000 international students on U.S. visas. The institution warned the ban would disrupt academic operations, international research partnerships, and the university’s global reputation.

The legal battle unfolds amid heightened friction between elite academic institutions and federal authorities, as the Trump administration intensifies scrutiny of higher education. Columbia University also came under federal accusations this week for alleged civil rights violations.

The escalating actions have drawn criticism from international governments and academic leaders, raising concerns about the chilling effect on international student enrollment and U.S. global academic competitiveness.

Legal analysts emphasize that the court’s injunction is a pivotal development, providing temporary protection while a full judicial review of the administration’s authority proceeds.