ISLAMABAD (PEN) : A U.S. federal judge has issued a temporary injunction halting the Trump administration’s attempt to prevent Harvard University from enrolling and hosting international students. The ruling, delivered by Judge Allison Burroughs in Boston on Thursday, provides interim protection for Harvard’s foreign student programs while legal proceedings continue.
The administration’s measures, which include revoking Harvard’s certification to host international students, freezing over \$2 billion in federal grants, and challenging the university’s tax-exempt status, have been met with legal challenges. Harvard contends that these actions are unconstitutional and retaliatory, particularly following the university’s refusal to comply with demands to alter its recruitment and research policies.
The timing of the ruling coincides with Harvard’s 2025 commencement ceremony, where President Alan Garber addressed the gathered graduates and families. The event also featured visible protests, including banners opposing U.S. support for Israel and advocating for divestment related to the Gaza conflict. Some faculty and graduates showed solidarity with international students using symbolic stickers and white flowers.
This legal development underscores the ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and elite academic institutions over issues of academic freedom, international collaboration, and institutional autonomy. The case is expected to have significant implications for the future of higher education policies in the United States.
