Harvard secures longer reprieve from Trump's ban on foreign students

By David Voreacos and Anika Arora Seth
A federal judge issued a new order that allows Harvard University to continue enrolling foreign students while the school fights the Trump administration's efforts to prevent it from doing so.
US District Judge Allison Burroughs granted Harvard a preliminary injunction Friday that prevents the Trump administration from implementing a May 22 order revoking the university's ability to host international students. The injunction extends an earlier temporary bar that was set to expire.
Harvard is the main target of President Donald Trump's efforts to force universities to crack down on antisemitism, remove perceived political bias and eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion programs. Harvard has separately sued over a $2.6 billion funding freeze, and Burroughs has temporarily blocked that from moving forward. Trump has also threatened to revoke the school's tax-exempt status.
Burroughs said at a May 29 hearing that she would grant a preliminary injunction to help Harvard's 6,800 international students, who comprise 27 per cent of the school's population. In her injunction, she sided with Harvard in adopting an order that broadly prevents the administration from taking other steps to alter the school's status.
Burroughs directed the government to instruct all embassies, consulates and border agents to 'restore every visa holder and applicant to the position that individual would have been' before the May 22 order and to provide a status update to the court within 72 hours.
Harvard claims Trump has violated its free-speech and procedural rights as it seeks to dictate its decisions on faculty hiring, academic programs and student admissions. The school sued after Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said May 22 that she was immediately revoking Harvard's ability to enroll international students, despite the school participating in a US program to do so for more than 70 years.
Trump also issued a separate proclamation on June 4 barring students and scholars on Harvard-sponsored visas from entering the US. Burroughs issued a separate temporary halt to that order but did not mention it in her ruling on Friday afternoon.
The Trump administration argues that the president has sweeping power to control immigration and national security, and judges can't second guess his exercise of that power.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Time of India

12 minutes ago

• Time of India

Houthis threaten to resume attacks on US vessels in Red Sea if US joins Israel's war with Iran

Tel Aviv: The Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen have threatened to resume attacks on US vessels and warships in the Red Sea if the Trump administration joins Israel's military campaign against Iran. Saturday's threat came in a prerecorded video statement by Houthi military spokesman Brig Gen Yahya Saree. "In the event of the American involvement in the attack and aggression against Iran with the Israeli enemy, the armed forces will target its ships and warships in the Red Sea," Saree said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villa For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Villas in Dubai | Search ads Learn More Undo US President Donald Trump is weighing active US military involvement in the war .

News18

21 minutes ago

• News18

Not So ‘Nobel'? Why Pakistan's Push For Trump Reeks Of A Strategic Gamble

Last Updated: Official sources in India said Pakistan's move is aimed at strengthening ties with US, securing economic and technological support, and gaining American backing on Kashmir In a diplomatic move, Pakistan has formally nominated US President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize. Official sources within Pakistan's government have confirmed that the nomination stems from their belief that Trump played a pivotal role in defusing the tensions during the India-Pakistan crisis of May 2025. However, official sources in India told CNN-News18 that Pakistan's move is aimed at strengthening ties with the United States, securing economic and technological support, and gaining American backing for its position on the Kashmir dispute. Pakistan's Desperate Push The Nobel nomination comes after what Islamabad describes as Trump's 'decisive diplomatic intervention" in de-escalating the May 2025 crisis between India and Pakistan. Pakistani officials have credited Trump for averting what could have been a catastrophic nuclear conflict. 'This move is about acknowledging President Trump's key role in ensuring peace during a period of intense crisis," one official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. 'We believe that Trump's mediation was instrumental in averting escalation, and we are seeking international recognition of his contribution." However, this narrative has been categorically rejected by India. Indian government sources have expressed strong opposition to Pakistan's claims, dismissing them as factually incorrect and misleading. In an official statement, India's Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri rejected the suggestion that Trump mediated the crisis, stating, 'India did not seek or accept any third-party mediation during the crisis, and Pakistan's attempts to rewrite the history of the events are not based in reality." Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his public remarks, further dismissed Pakistan's narrative, refusing to engage with any external mediation efforts, including those from Trump. 'India has always managed its security concerns on its own and does not require the intervention of any third party," he said. This week, PM Modi also declined Trump's invite to visit the United States on his return journey from Canada, citing his pre-existing schedule. The development came as PM Modi spoke with Trump and set the record straight that India's 'Operation Sindoor' was 'paused" following a request from Pakistan and not due to mediation or offer of a trade deal by the US. According to official sources within the Indian government, the Indian leadership maintained full control over the crisis and managed it without any foreign involvement. Indian Defence Secretary RK Singh provided further details, telling a news agency: 'All communications during the crisis were thoroughly documented, including logs and records that make it clear that India initiated the calls. Any claims of third-party mediation are unfounded." Singh's comments were aimed at countering Pakistan's narrative, which has been widely disseminated in international forums and media. The Kashmir Angle Pakistan's push to nominate Trump is also linked to its long-standing goal of internationalising the Kashmir issue. Islamabad has consistently sought global support for its position on Kashmir, which India maintains is a bilateral issue to be resolved solely between the two countries. Indian government officials have made it clear that any third-party involvement in the Kashmir dispute is unacceptable. 'The Kashmir issue is a bilateral matter, and India will not tolerate any external interference," said a senior Ministry of External Affairs official, speaking on condition of anonymity. 'Pakistan's attempt to gain international support through this Nobel nomination is part of its ongoing campaign to internationalise Kashmir, which India has firmly rejected." In contrast, Pakistan has highlighted Trump's previous offers to mediate the Kashmir dispute as evidence of his willingness to involve himself in the issue. According to Pakistani diplomatic sources, this endorsement of Trump is aimed at pushing the United States to take a more active role in the region. Munir's Ambition The diplomatic push for the Nobel nomination has raised eyebrows in both Pakistan and India. There are reports that General Asim Munir, Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff, is positioning himself as a potential co-recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, alongside Trump. While this remains unconfirmed, Indian intelligence sources suggest that Munir's growing role in shaping Pakistan's foreign policy may be influencing the country's decision to publicly support Trump. 'Munir is an ambitious leader," said an Indian security analyst, 'and while the Nobel campaign may seem like a strategic move to secure Pakistani interests, it could also be a personal gambit to raise his own stature on the international stage." Interestingly, the nomination demand came after a rare White House meeting between Trump and Munir in which geo-political issues ranging from the Israel-Iran conflict, and Kashmir to defence purchasing were discussed. The Bigger Picture For Pakistan, the move is seen as a way to potentially gain economic concessions, technological transfers, and a softer US stance on its nuclear programme. In particular, Pakistan hopes that by aligning itself with Trump's leadership, it can secure American backing for its position on Kashmir, despite India's firm objections. top videos View all For India, however, the matter is a reminder that, despite Pakistan's claims, the Kashmir issue remains firmly within India's domain and will not be internationalised through external mediation. The coming months will reveal whether Pakistan's strategic gamble will pay off or whether it will simply be seen as a fleeting diplomatic gesture in the complex web of South Asian geopolitics. tags : Asim Munir donald trump Kashmir Nobel Prize pakistan United states Location : Islamabad, Pakistan First Published: June 21, 2025, 11:36 IST News world Not So 'Nobel'? Why Pakistan's Push For Trump Reeks Of A Strategic Gamble | Exclusive

Time of India

32 minutes ago

• Time of India

Federal judge blocks Trump's move to bar international students from Harvard in major US education ruling

US court halts Trump's visa crackdown on Harvard's international students A federal judge in Boston has temporarily blocked President Donald Trump's latest attempt to prevent Harvard University from enrolling international students, marking a significant moment in the ongoing legal standoff between one of the world's most prestigious universities and the current US administration. The ruling, handed down by US District Judge Allison Burroughs, ensures that Harvard can continue to host its nearly 7,000 international students — about one-quarter of its total enrollment — while broader legal proceedings continue. The decision represents a critical win for the Ivy League school, which has been in legal conflict with the federal government over multiple policy decisions impacting academic freedom, international student mobility, and the university's operational autonomy. While the ruling does not offer a permanent solution, it reinforces Harvard's position against what it claims are politically motivated efforts by the Trump administration to penalize the institution. Court decision halts a second attempt by the administration The legal battle intensified after the Department of Homeland Security revoked Harvard's certification under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program in May. This would have forced thousands of students to either leave the country or transfer, severely disrupting their education. Harvard responded by suing the agency, alleging that the action was taken without proper procedure and in retaliation for the university's refusal to comply with the White House's demands on issues including campus protests, admissions, and hiring practices. Just weeks later, President Trump issued a new proclamation attempting to bypass the court's temporary block, again aiming to prevent foreign students from attending Harvard. Judge Burroughs intervened once more, temporarily blocking this second action as well, according to reporting by the Associated Press. Her latest ruling maintains that block, though she emphasized that the federal government still retains the authority to conduct normal reviews of international student programs. Impact on students and institutional reputation Harvard argued in court filings that the federal actions had created an atmosphere of 'profound fear, concern, and confusion' for international students, many of whom were left in limbo about their academic futures. As reported by the Associated Press, Maureen Martin, director of Harvard's immigration services, said that many students had considered transferring due to uncertainty over their visa status. The sanctions also harmed Harvard's global reputation, the university claimed, jeopardizing its ability to attract top talent. 'Without its international students, Harvard is not Harvard,' the lawsuit stated, highlighting how crucial foreign scholars are to its academic mission. Broader political tensions continue This legal conflict is part of a broader dispute between Harvard and the Trump administration. As reported by the Associated Press, the government has already cut over $2.6 billion in research funding, canceled contracts, and even threatened the university's tax-exempt status. The administration demanded access to extensive records related to international students, claiming concerns about national security. While Trump said in a Truth Social post that negotiations with Harvard were ongoing and that the university had been acting 'appropriately,' Harvard has held firm, with President Alan Garber stating that the university would not abandon its 'core, legally-protected principles,' as quoted by the Associated Press. As the legal fight continues, Harvard says it is making contingency plans to support its international students, ensuring their education remains uninterrupted despite the political challenges. Is your child ready for the careers of tomorrow? Enroll now and take advantage of our early bird offer! Spaces are limited.