Key Points:
- The U.S. State Department reinstated processing of Harvard University student and exchange visitor visas after a judge temporarily halted President Trump’s immigration proclamation.
- Harvard claims the administration’s actions were retaliatory over disagreements concerning academic governance and institutional independence.
- Despite the ruling, strict vetting procedures, including social media reviews, remain active for all student visa applicants.
The U.S. State Department has directed American diplomatic missions across the globe to resume processing student and exchange visitor visas for individuals enrolled at Harvard University. This decision follows a federal judge’s ruling last week that temporarily blocks a presidential proclamation seeking to restrict foreign students from studying at the Ivy League institution.
In a diplomatic cable dated June 6, Secretary of State Marco Rubio referenced the order issued by U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs in Boston. The State Department’s directive noted that the updated guidance aligns with the temporary restraining order issued late Thursday, which halts enforcement of the visa ban while the matter continues through the courts.
Judge’s Ruling Halts Controversial Proclamation
The contested proclamation, put forward by President Donald Trump, cited national security concerns as the reason for barring international students from entering the United States to pursue studies at Harvard. The administration argued that tighter immigration controls were necessary to protect against foreign espionage and improper influence within U.S. academic colleges and universities.
Harvard, however, quickly mounted a legal challenge, claiming the administration’s actions were politically charged retaliation. The university alleged that federal officials were attempting to pressure the institution to conform to demands regarding governance, faculty oversight, and campus ideology. Alongside the visa ban, the Trump administration has also frozen billions in federal grants and threatened to revoke Harvard’s tax-exempt status, leading to multiple legal disputes.
Visa Processing Resumes, But Vetting Measures Remain
While visa processing for Harvard students and exchange visitors has resumed, the State Department clarified that all existing regulations for student visas remain firmly in place. This includes enhanced screening procedures, such as comprehensive reviews of applicants’ social media activity and digital presence as part of their background checks.
A State Department spokesperson declined to comment on the internal cable or the ongoing litigation when contacted. Immigration attorneys and education advocates welcomed the court’s intervention but cautioned that the legal battle is ongoing. “This restraining order is a vital safeguard against executive overreach,” one immigration law expert noted, while emphasizing the importance of continued legal scrutiny.
International students admitted to Harvard can now proceed with visa applications under the current rules, though they remain subject to the heightened vetting protocols implemented in recent years. Further hearings in the case are expected in the coming weeks.
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