Harvard Wins Initial Court Fight to Keep Its International Students

New York Times

2 days ago

A federal judge on Thursday said she would issue an order temporarily blocking the Trump administration from enforcing a ban on international students at Harvard. The judge voiced concerns that the government was attempting to prevent foreign students from enrolling despite her earlier order blocking the administration's planned actions.
The Trump administration had attempted to forestall the judge's decision by sending a last-minute notice offering the university an additional 30 days to respond to its demands just hours before squaring off against Harvard's lawyers in federal court.
But Judge Allison D. Burroughs said she wanted to issue an injunction anyway, repeating concerns that student visas were being delayed or rescinded.
Harvard sued the Trump administration last week, after the government announced it would revoke the university's authorization to enroll students from abroad. Hours after the lawsuit was filed, Judge Burroughs issued a short-term ban on those efforts.
International students make up about a quarter of Harvard's student body, and are critical to the university's academics and finances. The school had asked for the extension so that international students, many of whom had left campus for the summer, could return to Harvard for their studies while the litigation continues.
An extension would also clear the way for incoming first-year students from abroad to proceed with their plans.
The Trump administration has argued that Harvard lost its right to admit international students because of its inability to curb antisemitism on campus, among other allegations. Harvard leaders have acknowledged some problems with antisemitism, but said the school had taken many steps to address them.
Lawyers for Harvard have argued that the Trump administration's ban on international students at the school was illegal and a sign of a political crusade against the nation's wealthiest university.
Citing a barrage of social media posts by President Trump that attack the university for its political ideology and professors, lawyers for Harvard had argued that the ban was unfounded and retaliatory. As evidence, they pointed to Mr. Trump's own posts attacking the university on his social media platform, Truth Social.
Judge Burroughs was also expected to rule on a request from the university that she order the administration to clear the way for the entry of Harvard students into the United States. The university had complained of reports from students that they had already faced hurdles at embassies and consulates.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.