A federal judge on Thursday extended a temporary hold preventing the Trump administration from revoking Harvard University’s ability to enroll international students. U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs announced her plan during a court hearing shortly after the administration revealed that it would give the university a 30-day reprieve before canceling its authority to admit students from abroad.
According to the filing, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has requested that Harvard provide sworn affidavits, supporting documents, or other materials to counter the basis for its decertification under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). This federal program permits institutions like Harvard to admit students from abroad. The letter dated May 28 notes that Harvard must address concerns including disciplinary issues involving foreign students and demonstrate that it upholds “a campus environment free from violence and antisemitism.”
The Trump administration rescinded Harvard’s certification to host international students last week; just hours after the decision, U.S. District Judge Allison D. Burroughs issued a temporary restraining order halting the move. The new development follows the administration’s indication that it would grant the university 30 days to contest the decision, as outlined in a letter included in a court filing submitted Wednesday night.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem shared the letter publicly on the social media platform X on Thursday. “Harvard’s unwillingness to cooperate with SEVP oversight is yet another sign of its disregard for the American public and the taxpayer resources it benefits from. We continue to reject Harvard’s ongoing pattern of putting students at risk and promoting anti-American sentiment,” Noem wrote, adding “if it wants to participate in federal programs, the university must fundamentally change.” Harvard has not issued a public response to the matter.
Judge Burroughs stated that her temporary order would remain active until it could be replaced with a more permanent preliminary injunction. No date was set for when that injunction might be considered. If the administration’s decision is ultimately upheld, international students currently enrolled at Harvard would have to transfer to other institutions to maintain their legal status in the U.S. International students comprise approximately 25% of Harvard’s student population.
The Trump administration is also entangled in a separate legal battle with Harvard over federal research funding. In April, the administration rescinded $2 billion in government research grants awarded to the university, prompting Harvard to file a lawsuit in response.
Harvard President Alan Garber responded to Trump’s comments, saying, “I’m not focused on whether the funds go to trade schools or infrastructure projects. The real question is whether the federal government is receiving sufficient value from its investments in research.”
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