A federal judge has intervened to block the Trump administration’s attempts to prevent Harvard University from hosting international students, granting Harvard a legal victory in its ongoing battle with the government. U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs’s order in Boston allows Harvard to continue hosting foreign students while the case unfolds, although it does not fully resolve all legal obstacles the university faces in this matter. Harvard took legal action against the Department of Homeland Security after the agency revoked its certification to host foreign students and issue necessary paperwork for their visas without proper procedures. This move threatened around 7,000 international students at Harvard, compelling them to transfer or risk being in the U.S. unlawfully.

Harvard accused the government of retaliating illegally for rejecting White House demands related to campus policies. The legal saga intensified when President Trump issued a proclamation in June to block foreign students from attending Harvard, which the university challenged as circumventing the court’s temporary order. The judge’s ruling maintains the blockade on Trump’s proclamation. The uncertainty caused by these legal developments has left current and prospective students in limbo, with many facing confusion and concern about their academic future at Harvard.

Despite the challenges, most students remain hopeful about attending Harvard. The university’s clash with the Trump administration stems from disagreements over campus policies and has led to significant financial and reputational repercussions for Harvard. The ongoing legal battle underscores the complexities of balancing governmental demands with academic autonomy and underscores the importance of international students to Harvard’s academic community.