Chicago – May 23, 2025
A U.S. judge temporarily stopped the Trump administration from revoking Harvard University’s ability to enroll foreign students. This policy was seen by the university as part of President Trump’s broader efforts to punish Harvard for not giving up its academic independence.
The court order gives temporary relief to thousands of international students who would have been forced to transfer under the new rule. Harvard called the policy a “blatant violation” of the U.S.
Constitution and other federal laws, saying it would have a harmful impact on the university and more than 7,000 visa-holding students. Harvard argued that it wouldn’t be the same without its international students, who make up 27% of the total student body, or nearly 6,800 students.
This legal action is part of an ongoing conflict between Harvard and the Trump administration, with Trump pushing universities and other institutions to support his political agenda. Harvard has previously sued to restore nearly $3 billion in federal grants that were canceled or frozen and is fighting proposals to remove its tax-exempt status and increase taxes on its endowment.
