Judge blocks Trump move to ban international students at Harvard

A U.S. federal judge on Thursday extended a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) blocking the Trump administration’s move to prevent Harvard University from enrolling international students. The TRO will stay in effect while both sides propose next steps for a preliminary injunction.

The Department of Homeland Security had earlier revoked Harvard’s certification under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program, sparking a lawsuit from the university. The judge initially halted the policy on May 23, pending a hearing.

The administration has since offered Harvard 30 days to respond to the policy, indicating a shift in tone following legal pushback. However, pressure on Harvard continues. Trump recently proposed capping foreign student enrollment at 15% and demanded a list of international students. Currently, over 27% of Harvard’s students are international.

This move is part of broader efforts by the Trump administration to pressure Harvard, including freezing funds, threatening tax-exempt status, and investigating its practices. Critics say the administration is targeting elite universities like Harvard, which are seen as liberal strongholds.

Credit : CGTN