A federal judge has issued an indefinite injunction blocking the Trump administration from revoking Harvard University’s certification in the Student and Exchange Visitor Program, which allows the university to host foreign students and scholars.
The preliminary injunction extends a temporary block issued last month and comes amid legal challenges against the administration’s decision to revoke Harvard’s ability to host international students and scholars.
Driving the news: This legal battle intensified following President Donald Trump’s proclamation suspending international visas for new students, leading the judge to halt the order on an emergency basis in early June.
The big picture: The ruling represents a significant victory for Harvard University, particularly as the administration had targeted the institution earlier over allegations of inadequate addressing of antisemitism and demands to eliminate what it deems “racist ‘diversity, equity, and inclusion’ practices.”
- The Trump administration’s move to remove Harvard from the Department of Homeland Security’s SEVP program prompted the university to file a lawsuit, arguing that the government disregarded the procedures governing such actions.
- Despite the administration’s initial stance, it later offered Harvard a month to provide evidence to challenge the attempt to strip the university of its ability to host international students, a move interpreted as an attempt to undermine the school’s legal challenge.
- While the recent ruling does not prevent the government from initiating a formal review of Harvard in the Exchange Visitor Program, it prohibits officials from implementing the original revocation that sparked the litigation.
- The judge’s order allows the government to continue routine requests for information and documents in order to assist in regulatory compliance review, indicating a more balanced approach in ensuring Harvard’s compliance with federal regulations.
