Trump’s Harvard ban halted again by federal judge

Judge Allison Burroughs, who has previously opposed similar actions by the U.S. government, stated in her ruling that Harvard University would face “immediate and irreparable harm” if the order were enforced immediately. 

On Wednesday night, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order temporarily suspending the entry of foreign nationals into the United States for the purpose of studying or participating in exchange programs at Harvard University. 

In response, Harvard University promptly filed a formal lawsuit in federal court, describing the government’s action as “political retaliation” and “unlawful.” The university also emphasized that the order blatantly violates academic freedoms and circumvents prior judicial rulings. 

According to official data, over 7,000 international students at Harvard are enrolled under F1 (college or university study visas) and J1 (exchange program visas). The university stated that these students have now become “pawns in the government’s retaliatory campaign.” 

In recent weeks, the Trump administration has intensified its actions against Harvard University, even revoking the university’s authorization to admit international students and issue visa documents. However, Judge Burroughs intervened in that case as well, temporarily halting the implementation of the decision.