Trump administration appeals to reinstate ban on Harvard's international students

The Trump administration has appealed a federal judge’s decision blocking a proclamation that sought to bar international students from enrolling at Harvard University, as reported by The New York Times. The appeal, filed in federal court in Boston, signals a continuation of a legal standoff that began in May over the university’s international enrollment.

The conflict escalated after a presidential proclamation issued on June 4. The proclamation accused Harvard of “entanglements with foreign countries, including our adversaries,” and cited donations from Chinese entities as part of its concern.

On June 23, US District Judge Allison D. Burroughs halted the enforcement of the proclamation. In her ruling, she criticized the administration’s attempt to restrict international students at Harvard, calling it a “misplaced effort to control a reputable academic institution and squelch diverse viewpoints seemingly because they are, in some instances, opposed to this administration’s own views.”

She added that the administration sought “to accomplish this, at least in part, on the backs of international students, with little thought to the consequences to them or, ultimately, to our own citizens.”

The administration defended its stance by referencing a 70-year-old law designed to block foreign enemies from entering the United States. It also cited the Supreme Court’s decision that upheld a 2017 ban on visas for individuals from several Muslim-majority countries. However, Judge Burroughs rejected the administration’s legal reasoning, calling it “absurd.”

The court order will remain in place while Harvard’s lawsuit against the administration proceeds.

Harvard hosts approximately 7,000 international students and scholars each year, with nearly 2,000 of them being recent graduates. These students represent roughly one-fourth of the total student body.

In anticipation of further legal developments, Harvard is preparing alternate study arrangements for international students. These include the possibility of remote learning and partnerships with institutions abroad. The Harvard Kennedy School confirmed it is working with the University of Toronto to accommodate some students during the ongoing legal process.