Judge Allison Burroughs Again Halts Entry Ban for Foreign Students at Harvard, Elite University
Temporary halt of entry restrictions for international Harvard students imposed by a US judge. - Judge in U.S. halts foreign student entry restrictions imposed by federal order on Boston-based Harvard University.
In a latest twist of events, Judge Allison Burroughs has once again ruled in favor of Harvard University, temporarily blocking the entry ban for foreign students sought by the Trump administration. The decision comes after an long-running legal battle between the prestigious institution and the current government.
Trump administration has been taking on Harvard for quite some time now. Last week, the president announced travel restrictions for new international students seeking to start studies at the elite university near Boston. The administration deemed the university's behavior as "inappropriate" and pointed out the ongoing battle between the two parties as the reason [1].
Harvard swiftly took legal action securing a victory in court. They accused the Trump administration of a "coordinated and escalating campaign of retribution" in the lawsuit filed in May. The university claimed that it was being punished by the government [1]. The government's actions were seen as retaliation for Harvard's refusal to allow the government control over its leadership, curriculum, and the "ideology" of its faculty and students.
Judge Burroughs had previously overturned an initial ban in a preliminary decision in May. This new ruling marks another win for Harvard. The Trump administration's persistent attempts to ban international students from entering the university have drawn criticism and support from various quarters [1].
The Trump administration has been targeting Harvard for months, labeling it as an "anti-Semitic, left-wing institution" [1]. The administration cited pro-Palestinian demonstrations on campus since the start of the Gaza war on October 7, 2023, among other things, as justification for the entries ban.
As a result, the U.S. government has cut federal funding for Harvard in the billions and plans to reduce all remaining federal funds [1]. Harvard refused to abolish diversity programs as demanded by the government and also refused to scrutinize its students [1]. Harvard President Alan Garber acknowledged some anti-Semitic incidents on campus [1].
Various other prestigious universities have expressed support for Harvard by joining an amicus brief in its lawsuit, except for Columbia and Cornell [2].
So far, this legal battle between Harvard and the Trump administration has highlighted the escalating tensions over the entry and enrollment of international students.
- Harvard
- Entry Ban
- Donald Trump
- Elite University
- Allison Burroughs
- Boston
- USA
- Federal Funding
- Ivy League Universities
Sources:[1] https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/25/us/politics/harvard-university-trump-ban.html[2] https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2025/05/25/harvard-ban-foreign-students-trump/[3] https://www.huffpost.com/entry/harvard-trump-ban-foreign-students_n_6285667ce4b0d6d01625484e[4] https://www.insidehighered.com/ quicktake/2025/05/25/except-columbia-cornell-ivy-league-supports-harvard-ban-foreign-students-lawsuit
Information Enrichment:1. Revocation of SEVP Certification: On April 20, 2025, the Trump administration threatened to revoke Harvard’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification, citing noncompliance with immigration laws. This was formalized on May 22, 2025, when the Department of Homeland Security revoked the certification, effectively barring Harvard from enrolling international students on F- or J-visas [1][2].2. Legal Action by Harvard: In response, Harvard filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration on May 23, 2025, alleging that the revocation was a “blatant violation of the First Amendment, the Due Process Clause, and the Administrative Procedure Act”[2][3].3. Temporary Restraining Order: A federal judge issued a temporary restraining order on May 23, 2025, blocking the Trump administration from implementing the revocation. This order was intended to halt the government’s action pending a hearing to determine whether it would be extended[2].4. Support from Other Institutions: Most Ivy League universities have expressed support for Harvard by joining an amicus brief in its lawsuit, except for Columbia and Cornell[4].
These developments highlight the escalating legal and political tensions between Harvard and the Trump administration over the entry and enrollment of international students.
United States Judge Allison Burroughs has once again blocked the entry ban imposed by President Donald Trump on foreign students at elite university, Harvard, which is based in Boston, USA. This recent ruling comes after a long-standing legal battle between the prestigious institution and the Trump administration, which has been accused of a coordinated and escalating campaign of retribution against Harvard, seeking control over its leadership, curriculum, and faculty ideology.
Harvard University, a target for months by the Trump administration, faces the potential loss of billions in federal funding due to its refusal to abolish diversity programs and scrutinize its students as demanded by the government. The Trump administration has previously sought to revoke the university's Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification on claims of noncompliance with immigration laws, but the institution responded with a lawsuit citing constitutional violations.
