In a major legal blow to former President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown, a U.S. federal court has temporarily blocked his latest proclamation targeting international students at Harvard University.
U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs, on Thursday, issued a temporary restraining order (TRO), barring the federal government from enforcing Trump’s controversial directive, which sought to ban most new foreign students from enrolling at Harvard and threatened the visa status of current international enrollees.
NAIJABLOGDAILY.COM
The proclamation, issued late Wednesday by the White House, accused Harvard of being an “unsuitable destination for foreign students and researchers” and aimed to cut off new visa access while placing existing international students at risk of deportation.
Harvard Fires Back: “Government Vendetta”
Harvard University quickly amended an existing lawsuit, arguing that the new order was retaliatory and unconstitutional, accusing the Trump administration of launching a “concerted and escalating campaign of political retribution.”
“This is not the Administration’s first attempt to sever Harvard from its international students,” Harvard stated in its filing.
“The President’s actions thus are not undertaken to protect the ‘interests of the United States’ but instead to pursue a government vendetta against Harvard.”
Harvard also highlighted that 27% of its 2024–2025 student population are international students, representing a major source of cultural diversity and financial support for the institution.
Court: “Irreparable Injury” Without Immediate Action
In her ruling, Judge Burroughs agreed that Harvard was likely to suffer immediate and irreparable harm if the order took effect. She noted that there had not yet been a full hearing on the merits of the case, but the urgency of the situation demanded a pause on enforcement.
Notably, Judge Burroughs had also blocked a similar Trump policy during his first administration, which targeted international students in U.S. universities amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Trump Targets Elite Institutions
Since returning to the political spotlight, Donald Trump has renewed attacks on elite academic institutions, accusing them of promoting liberal bias, anti-Semitism, and “woke” ideology.
Harvard, in particular, has refused to comply with the Trump administration’s efforts to control curriculum, faculty hiring, and ideological direction.
HEED: Follow us on Instagram or any other social media platform and get the most reliable news directly in your favourite app!
The administration has already slashed $3.2 billion in federal grants and contracts directed to Harvard and vowed to cut it off from future funding.
Columbia University Also Under Fire
Trump’s Education Secretary recently threatened Columbia University’s accreditation, accusing the Ivy League school of failing to address alleged harassment of Jewish students.
While institutions like Columbia have started to comply with federal oversight demands, Harvard continues to push back, framing the conflict as a defense of academic freedom and constitutional rights.
Stay with Naija Blog Daily for the latest in international education policy, US politics, and immigration law updates affecting students around the world.
NaijaBlogDaily# is visible on all social media platforms, and we bring you the latest Nigerian news on politics and economy, entertainment, and celebrity updates, including sports across Nigeria and beyond…
Keep visiting and following up with us on any social media platform you are using to keep you updated 💯
Remember (information brings knowledge and power).
STAY TUNED!!!
