US judge indefinitely blocks Trump move that threatened visas for thousands of Harvard’s international students
A federal judge in Massachusetts has indefinitely blocked a controversial proclamation by President Donald Trump, which aimed to prevent new international students from enrolling at Harvard University. The decision by Judge Allison Burroughs, is being viewed as a major legal rebuke to the Trump administration’s ongoing efforts to reshape US immigration and education policies.In her 44-page ruling, Burroughs stated that the administration’s action violated constitutional protections and posed a significant threat to academic freedom, freedom of speech, and diversity in higher education. The case marks another chapter in escalating tensions between the Trump administration and elite universities, particularly Harvard, which has challenged multiple government actions in recent years.Judge cites constitutional violations and academic freedomAs reported by CNN, Judge Burroughs wrote, “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 emphasized that the government’s actions appeared to target Harvard “because they are, in some instances, opposed to this Administration’s own views.”The now-blocked presidential proclamation had been justified by the White House on national security grounds, claiming that Harvard was not adequately vetting incoming international scholars. However, Burroughs concluded the move was part of what she described as a broader retaliatory campaign against Harvard, a university perceived by the administration as overly liberal.Visa threat could have affected nearly a quarter of studentsPreviously, the Trump administration, through the Departments of Homeland Security and State, had attempted to revoke Harvard’s student visa program. As CNN reported, that effort, also blocked by Burroughs, would have forced nearly 25% of the university’s student body—comprising international students—to either leave the country or transfer to other institutions.The latest ruling prevents the government from implementing follow-up measures that would again restrict visas for new international students enrolling at Harvard. This indefinite block ensures that Harvard can continue welcoming scholars from abroad while the court proceedings and broader legal challenges remain unresolved.Broader conflict between Harvard and the Trump administrationHarvard is currently engaged in multiple legal battles with the federal government. According to CNN, more than $2 billion in federal grants—mostly for medical and scientific research—has been frozen. These actions stem from the administration’s claims that Harvard is not aligning with its priorities, including opposition to diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, and the university’s handling of campus protests related to the Gaza-Israel conflict.Burroughs, an Obama-era appointee with jurisdiction in a court lacking any Trump-nominated judges, is also expected to decide later this summer on Harvard’s lawsuit against the government’s suspension of federal funding.This ruling represents a significant moment in the ongoing power struggle between higher education institutions and the Trump administration’s conservative agenda.
