Key Points:
- Judge Allison Burroughs rules Trump’s proclamation violates constitutional rights.
- The injunction protects Harvard’s ability to host nearly 6,800 international students.
- The ruling is a major legal win in Harvard’s broader fight against federal funding cuts and political retaliation.
Judge Rules Trump Administration Overstepped Constitutional Limits
A federal judge in Massachusetts has indefinitely blocked President Donald Trump’s effort to prohibit international students from attending Harvard University, declaring the move a violation of fundamental constitutional rights.
U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs issued the injunction Monday, stating that the administration’s actions were retaliatory and threatened academic freedom and free speech.
The ruling halts the enforcement of a presidential proclamation signed earlier this month that barred foreign nationals from entering the United States to study at Harvard or participate in academic exchange programs.
The order, which cited national security concerns, would have suspended the issuance of new visas for six months and directed the Secretary of State to review the status of already enrolled students.
Burroughs strongly criticized the administration’s reasoning, writing that the actions were politically motivated and undermined essential democratic freedoms. “This case is about core constitutional rights that must be safeguarded: freedom of thought, freedom of expression, and freedom of speech,” she wrote in her 44-page opinion.
“The government’s efforts to control a reputable academic institution and squelch diverse viewpoints threaten these rights.” Harvard, based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, had challenged the proclamation, arguing it was the latest in a series of politically charged attacks aimed at the institution.
The university is also seeking to unfreeze more than $2.5 billion in federal funding for research that was halted amid the administration’s broader campaign.
Harvard’s Legal Battle Gains Momentum
This marks the second time Judge Burroughs has sided with Harvard in blocking actions from the Trump administration. She previously halted an attempt to revoke student visas that would have forced thousands of foreign students to leave the country or transfer.
Harvard officials welcomed the decision, stating it ensures the university can continue its educational mission while the legal fight proceeds. “We will persist in defending the rights of our students and the values of academic freedom,” a university spokesperson said.
The White House has yet to comment on the ruling. However, Trump previously claimed a resolution with Harvard might be possible “within the next week or so.”
Trump’s actions toward Harvard, including threats to its tax-exempt status and investigations into its operations, have been viewed by critics as part of a broader assault on liberal academic institutions.
The administration has also linked the university’s refusal to align with certain federal policies—such as anti-DEI measures and the handling of Gaza-related campus protests—to its aggressive stance.
With this ruling, Harvard retains its ability to host nearly 6,800 international students, and the legal battle over academic autonomy and constitutional protections heads into a critical phase.