A judge in Boston has stopped a rule from the Trump administration that would have banned foreign students from studying at Harvard University. This decision is important because it protects students’ rights and shows how important it is for universities to have people from different countries and backgrounds.
What Did the Judge Say?
On June 23, 2025, U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs said that the government cannot go ahead with the rule that would block international students from studying at Harvard, at least for now. The court wants more time to look into the case before making a final decision.
Why Was This Rule Introduced?
Earlier, on June 4, 2025, former President Donald Trump signed an order saying that for national security reasons, international students should not be allowed to study at Harvard or join exchange programs for six months.
The order also suggested that the government could cancel the visas of students already studying at Harvard.
Why Did the Judge Stop the Rule?
Judge Burroughs said this rule could break important constitutional rights like freedom of speech and expression. She warned that the government might be trying to control what Harvard teaches or who it hires.
She also said the rule seemed like an attempt to silence voices that don’t agree with the government’s views. This could hurt both foreign students and U.S. citizens.
How Many International Students Are at Harvard?
Harvard has about 6,800 international students, which is 27% of the total student population. Blocking these students could harm not just them but the entire school and surrounding community.
Tensions Between Harvard and the Government
This is not the first problem between Harvard and the Trump administration. The government had already frozen $2.5 billion in funding for the university, threatened to remove its tax-free status, and started investigations.
On June 20, Trump said there might be a deal with Harvard soon. At the same time, Harvard sued the government in two separate cases—one to release the frozen funds and another to stop the ban on foreign students.
How Did This All Start?
The conflict began when Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem took away Harvard’s approval to enroll international students. She said the school was involved in violence, antisemitism, and had connections with China’s Communist Party.
However, she did not give strong proof. The judge quickly paused this decision and later confirmed that things should stay as they are for now.
Why Did the Government Want the Ban?
The government said that Harvard took money from foreign countries like China and didn’t give enough details about its foreign students. It also said that Jewish students didn’t feel safe, and that the school allowed antisemitism during protests about the war in Gaza.
What’s Happening on Campus?
Harvard’s reports show there have been problems with antisemitism and Islamophobia. But many rights groups say the government only seems to care about one side and hasn’t done anything about anti-Muslim hate. This has caused concern.
This case is about more than just Harvard and the government. It’s about student rights, freedom of speech, and making sure universities stay open to all kinds of people and ideas.
For now, the judge has stopped the rule, but the fight in court is not over. The final decision will show how much power the government has over universities in the U.S.
