A federal judge on Monday issued a second preliminary injunction against the Trump administration ’s ongoing efforts to prevent international students from attending Harvard University .
US district judge Allison Burroughs in Boston ruled in favour of Harvard, allowing foreign students to continue traveling to the US for their studies while the case moves forward. This follows an earlier injunction issued last Friday, also in response to federal action against the university.
“This case is about core constitutional rights that must be safeguarded: freedom of thought, freedom of expression, and freedom of speech, each of which is a pillar of a functioning democracy and an essential hedge against authoritarianism,” she said in a statement.
US President Donald Trump has been pressuring Harvard to change its policies, criticising the institution as overly liberal. His administration has cut more than $2.6 billion in research funding, ended federal contracts, and threatened to revoke Harvard’s tax-exempt status.
In a Truth Social post last week, Trump said the administration was negotiating with Harvard and hinted at a possible agreement, saying that the university had acted “appropriately” during the talks. However, Harvard president Alan Garber has said the school will not compromise its “core, legally-protected principles,” despite pressure from Washington.
Implications for international students
Despite the federal court's ruling in favor of Harvard, many international students continue to face difficulties entering the US. Students have reported issues at airports and consulates, where federal officers have followed outdated or inconsistent guidance, resulting in denied visas or entry refusals, even after the injunction was issued.
Harvard, which has around 7,000 international students, said the federal actions had already caused “profound fear, concern, and confusion.” Many students have considered transferring due to the uncertainty surrounding their visa status .
Maureen Martin, director of Harvard’s immigration services, confirmed that numerous students were left in limbo. The university argued that losing its international student body would harm its academic mission and global standing. “Without its international students, Harvard is not Harvard,” the lawsuit stated.
In response, Harvard is developing contingency plans to ensure affected students can continue their education, regardless of ongoing legal or policy changes.
For students making major life decisions, such as booking flights, signing leases, or leaving jobs in their home countries, the lack of clarity has been especially disruptive.
The dispute began in May when the department of homeland security withdrew Harvard’s certification to host foreign students, which would have forced them to leave or remain in the US without legal status. Harvard sued, claiming the move was retaliation for rejecting federal demands to alter its policies on admissions, campus protests, and hiring.
Monday’s injunction also blocks a separate proclamation issued by Trump on June 4, which attempted to use a different legal basis to bar international students. Judge Burroughs had first paused that action with a temporary restraining order before issuing this new ruling.
US district judge Allison Burroughs in Boston ruled in favour of Harvard, allowing foreign students to continue traveling to the US for their studies while the case moves forward. This follows an earlier injunction issued last Friday, also in response to federal action against the university.
“This case is about core constitutional rights that must be safeguarded: freedom of thought, freedom of expression, and freedom of speech, each of which is a pillar of a functioning democracy and an essential hedge against authoritarianism,” she said in a statement.
US President Donald Trump has been pressuring Harvard to change its policies, criticising the institution as overly liberal. His administration has cut more than $2.6 billion in research funding, ended federal contracts, and threatened to revoke Harvard’s tax-exempt status.
In a Truth Social post last week, Trump said the administration was negotiating with Harvard and hinted at a possible agreement, saying that the university had acted “appropriately” during the talks. However, Harvard president Alan Garber has said the school will not compromise its “core, legally-protected principles,” despite pressure from Washington.
Implications for international students
Despite the federal court's ruling in favor of Harvard, many international students continue to face difficulties entering the US. Students have reported issues at airports and consulates, where federal officers have followed outdated or inconsistent guidance, resulting in denied visas or entry refusals, even after the injunction was issued.
Harvard, which has around 7,000 international students, said the federal actions had already caused “profound fear, concern, and confusion.” Many students have considered transferring due to the uncertainty surrounding their visa status .
Maureen Martin, director of Harvard’s immigration services, confirmed that numerous students were left in limbo. The university argued that losing its international student body would harm its academic mission and global standing. “Without its international students, Harvard is not Harvard,” the lawsuit stated.
In response, Harvard is developing contingency plans to ensure affected students can continue their education, regardless of ongoing legal or policy changes.
For students making major life decisions, such as booking flights, signing leases, or leaving jobs in their home countries, the lack of clarity has been especially disruptive.
The dispute began in May when the department of homeland security withdrew Harvard’s certification to host foreign students, which would have forced them to leave or remain in the US without legal status. Harvard sued, claiming the move was retaliation for rejecting federal demands to alter its policies on admissions, campus protests, and hiring.
Monday’s injunction also blocks a separate proclamation issued by Trump on June 4, which attempted to use a different legal basis to bar international students. Judge Burroughs had first paused that action with a temporary restraining order before issuing this new ruling.
You may also like
UK higher education feels the pinch of funding crunch, over 50 universities drop in QS world rankings
Sao Joao festivities take a leap towards commercialisation
Dementia patients at greater risk of heatwave-related health risks, nurse warns
Beat hay fever symptoms with simple activity, say experts
UPS vs NPS: Choose guaranteed pension or stick to market returns? Understand the complete math before making a retirement decision.
