A federal judge in Boston, US district judge Allison Burroughs, has blocked Donald Trump’s administration from implementing a plan to prevent foreign nationals from entering the United States to study at Harvard University. This injunction extends a temporary order issued on June 5th, preventing the administration from enforcing a proclamation signed by Trump citing national security concerns about Harvard hosting international students. The proclamation aimed to bar foreign nationals from studying at Harvard and participating in exchange visitor programs for six months.

Harvard, with nearly 6,800 international students comprising 27% of its student body, has been at odds with the administration. Trump froze funding, threatened tax-exempt status, and launched investigations into the university. Harvard has filed lawsuits alleging that Trump is violating its free speech rights by trying to control governance, curriculum, and ideology. The university seeks to unfreeze funding and allow international students to attend.

The Department of Homeland Security, led by Kristi Noem, attempted to revoke Harvard’s student and exchange visitor program certification, accusing the university of fostering violence, antisemitism, and ties to the Chinese Communist Party. However, Burroughs blocked this action, maintaining the status quo. Trump’s administration has also accused Harvard of creating an unsafe environment for Jewish students and allowing antisemitism to thrive on campus amid protests over Israel’s actions in Gaza.

Harvard’s own task forces have identified fear and bigotry on campus, with reports of antisemitism and Islamophobia. As the legal battle continues, the injunction serves as a temporary reprieve for Harvard and its international student community.