A federal judge has indefinitely blocked President Donald Trump’s attempt to restrict Harvard University’s ability to bring international students to its campus.
Judge Allison Burroughs ruled that Trump’s proclamation was a violation of Harvard’s constitutional protections and part of a retaliatory campaign against the university.
The Trump administration had argued that the proclamation was necessary for national security purposes, citing concerns that Harvard was not properly vetting incoming scholars from other countries.
However, Burroughs disagreed, stating that the government’s efforts to control the university and suppress diverse viewpoints threatened core constitutional rights.
“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,”
Burroughs wrote in her 44-page opinion. “Here, the government’s efforts to control a reputable academic institution and squelch diverse viewpoints, seemingly because they are, in some instances, opposed to this Administration’s own views, threaten these rights.
To make matters worse, the government attempts to accomplish this, at least in part, on the backs of international students.”
The judge had previously blocked an attempt by the Trump administration to revoke Harvard’s student visa program, which would have affected nearly a quarter of the university’s student body.
Burroughs’ decision on Monday dealt with a follow-up Trump administration action aimed at stopping international students from getting visas to study at Harvard.
The dispute between Harvard and the Trump administration centers on the university’s handling of international students and its perceived liberal bias.
The administration has argued that Harvard has not complied with its priorities, including anti-diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives and scrutiny of campus protests around the war in Gaza and Israel.
Trump’s proclamation, issued on June 4, suspended the entry of new international students and exchange visitors seeking to study or participate in exchange programs at Harvard.
It also directed the Secretary of State to consider revoking existing visas for current Harvard students who met certain criteria.
The proclamation cited Harvard’s “demonstrated history of concerning foreign ties and radicalism” and its alleged failure to provide sufficient information to the Department of Homeland Security about foreign students’ known illegal or dangerous activities.
The ruling is a significant victory for Harvard, which has argued that the Trump administration’s actions could potentially cause major damage to the university. Harvard has sued the administration over its decisions, including the freeze on federal grants worth over $2 billion.
Harvard University has stated that the court’s order will allow it to continue hosting international students and scholars while the case moves forward.
“The court’s order will continue to allow Harvard to host international students and scholars while this case moves forward,” the university said in a statement. “Harvard will continue to defend its rights—and the rights of its students and scholars.”
The Trump administration has yet to comment on the ruling, but Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem has expressed her commitment to revoking Harvard’s ability to enroll international students.