A Boston district judge on Monday, June 23, 2025, blocked a proclamation signed by US President Donald Trump that aimed to bar foreign nationals from enrolling at Harvard University. Judge Allison D. Burroughs’ decision was yet another legal triumph for the university, which is fighting what it claims is illegal federal overreach that targets its international community and academic freedom.
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Background: Federal Crackdown on Harvard
On February 3, 2025, the administration announced the creation of a Task Force on Antisemitism. The Justice Department described the move as an effort to root out antisemitic harassment at ten universities, including Harvard. By March 2025, the Task Force began examining Harvard’s federal contracts, approximately $256 million in active contracts and $8.7 billion in multi-year commitments, alleging failure to protect Jewish students.
Read: How to get into Harvard University in 2025 for International Students
April 2025: Federal Demands and Harvard’s Response
In early April 2025, the federal government sent two letters to Harvard demanding extensive reforms:
- Discontinue diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs.
- Report all disciplinary actions related to antisemitic violations since October 7, 2024.
- Identify students deemed hostile to American values.
On April 14, 2025, Harvard President Alan Garber rejected these conditions, asserting that they infringed on the university’s First Amendment rights and academic independence. Days later, on April 16, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) froze $2.2 million in multiyear grants and a $60 million contract with the university.
May 2025: SEVP Revocation and Legal Action
The administration escalated its pressure by revoking Harvard’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification on May 22, 2025. Enrolling foreign students on F-1, M-1, and J-1 visas requires this certification, with Trump’s order jeopardising the future of about 7000 students.
Harvard responded by filing a lawsuit (Lawsuit 1) challenging the revocation. Harvard cited violations of its First and Fifth Amendment rights.
Judge Burroughs issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) preventing the SEVP revocation from taking effect and giving relief to Harvard and its students.
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June 2025: Trump’s Proclamation and Court Rulings
On June 4, 2025, Trump attempted to bypass the court’s ruling by issuing a proclamation banning the entry of foreign nationals enrolling at Harvard.
Harvard immediately sought relief in court. Judge Burroughs responded by extending the TRO and, on June 20, issued a preliminary injunction preventing Harvard’s removal from SEVP.
On June 23, 2025, Judge Burroughs struck down Trump’s June 4 proclamation, criticising the administration for misusing national security powers against an academic institution.
“The government’s misplaced 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,” she wrote.
She further condemned the administration for targeting international students without regard to the harm caused to them or to American citizens.
Federal Funding Battle (Lawsuit 2)
Parallel to the SEVP litigation, Harvard also sued the administration on April 21, 2025, to challenge the federal funding freeze. Harvard argued that the administration was unlawfully using funding as leverage to control academic decisions.
Oral arguments in this case are scheduled for July 21, 2025.
What’s Next
As of now, international students are welcome, with the visa process back in action, international students need not worry. Also, with judgments coming in favour of Harvard, it showcases the strong will of the American polity to embrace international students and diversity.
As the Harvard president said, “Harvard will remain open to the world.”
