Federal judge blocks Trump's attempt to limit Harvard's international student enrollment
Shreeaa Rathi | TIMESOFINDIA.COM | Jun 24, 2025, 16:43 IST
( Image credit : AP, TOIGLOBAL )
In a significant ruling, a US judge intervened against Donald Trump's initiative to limit Harvard's enrollment of international students. Judge Allison Burroughs pointed to potential constitutional violations and underscored hints of retaliatory intent. This decision not only champions academic independence but directly confronts the Trump administration's efforts to undermine Harvard, which included proposed funding cuts.
A federal judge, Allison Burroughs, on Monday blocked President Donald Trump's attempt to limit Harvard University's ability to enroll international students, citing constitutional violations and retaliatory motives. The ruling addresses a presidential proclamation that the White House defended as necessary for national security, alleging Harvard's inadequate vetting of international scholars. Burroughs' decision protects academic freedom and challenges the administration's actions against Harvard, including attempts to cut federal grants and influence university policies.
Judge Allison Burroughs of the US District Court in Massachusetts ruled that President Trump's proclamation violated Harvard's constitutional protections. The judge viewed the proclamation as part of a retaliatory campaign by the Trump administration.
The White House stated the proclamation was for national security purposes. They argued Harvard wasn’t properly vetting incoming scholars from other countries.
Burroughs outlined her reaction to the administration’s repeated attempts to cut into Harvard’s student body and approach to teaching.
“This case is about core constitutional rights that must be safeguarded: freedom of thought, freedom of expression, and freedom of speech, each of which is a pillar of a functioning democracy and an essential hedge against authoritarianism,” Burroughs wrote in a 44-page opinion Monday.
“Here, the government’s efforts to control a reputable academic institution and squelch diverse viewpoints, seemingly because they are, in some instances, opposed to this Administration‘s own views, threaten these rights. To make matters worse, the government attempts to accomplish this, at least in part, on the backs of international students,” she wrote.
Burroughs had previously blocked an attempt by the Trump Homeland Security and State departments to revoke Harvard’s student visa program. This earlier action would have affected nearly a quarter of Harvard's student body.
The recent decision dealt with a follow-up Trump administration action aimed at stopping international students from getting visas to study at Harvard.
Burroughs, an Obama appointee, sits in a jurisdiction without Trump-appointed judges at the trial or appellate level.
She is also set to decide this summer on a major legal challenge from Harvard against the Trump administration’s decision to cut its federal grants.
Various federal agencies have frozen more than $2 billion in funding for Harvard programs. The funding cuts largely target medical and scientific research.
Harvard is at the center of Trump administration pushback against intellectual and cultural institutions perceived as too liberal.
The university has sued in response to Trump administration decisions that it says could potentially cause major damage to it as an institution.
The administration has argued its actions arose because Harvard hasn’t complied with the priorities of the president. These priorities include anti-diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives and scrutiny of the handling of campus protests around the war in Gaza and Israel.
Judge Allison Burroughs of the US District Court in Massachusetts ruled that President Trump's proclamation violated Harvard's constitutional protections. The judge viewed the proclamation as part of a retaliatory campaign by the Trump administration.
The White House stated the proclamation was for national security purposes. They argued Harvard wasn’t properly vetting incoming scholars from other countries.
Burroughs outlined her reaction to the administration’s repeated attempts to cut into Harvard’s student body and approach to teaching.
“This case is about core constitutional rights that must be safeguarded: freedom of thought, freedom of expression, and freedom of speech, each of which is a pillar of a functioning democracy and an essential hedge against authoritarianism,” Burroughs wrote in a 44-page opinion Monday.
“Here, the government’s efforts to control a reputable academic institution and squelch diverse viewpoints, seemingly because they are, in some instances, opposed to this Administration‘s own views, threaten these rights. To make matters worse, the government attempts to accomplish this, at least in part, on the backs of international students,” she wrote.
Burroughs had previously blocked an attempt by the Trump Homeland Security and State departments to revoke Harvard’s student visa program. This earlier action would have affected nearly a quarter of Harvard's student body.
The recent decision dealt with a follow-up Trump administration action aimed at stopping international students from getting visas to study at Harvard.
Burroughs, an Obama appointee, sits in a jurisdiction without Trump-appointed judges at the trial or appellate level.
She is also set to decide this summer on a major legal challenge from Harvard against the Trump administration’s decision to cut its federal grants.
Various federal agencies have frozen more than $2 billion in funding for Harvard programs. The funding cuts largely target medical and scientific research.
Harvard is at the center of Trump administration pushback against intellectual and cultural institutions perceived as too liberal.
The university has sued in response to Trump administration decisions that it says could potentially cause major damage to it as an institution.
The administration has argued its actions arose because Harvard hasn’t complied with the priorities of the president. These priorities include anti-diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives and scrutiny of the handling of campus protests around the war in Gaza and Israel.