Harvard’s Foreign Students Face Uncertainty as Trump Plan to Block Enrollment is Halted – For Now

Harvard University has won a temporary reprieve from the Trump administration’s controversial plan to block the enrollment of international students. A federal judge issued a restraining order pausing the administration’s move to revoke Harvard’s access to the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), which would have affected over a quarter of the university’s student body.

Harvard filed a lawsuit arguing that the government’s move was an “unlawful and blatant violation” of academic freedom and free speech rights. The decision followed the Trump administration’s claims that Harvard hadn’t done enough to address antisemitism and had discriminatory admissions practices – accusations the university strongly denied.

International students, including Harvard’s ambassadors and global talent, expressed relief but remained anxious about the uncertainty ahead. The next court hearing is scheduled for May 29 in Boston.

For many students like Isaac Bangura from Sierra Leone, the news provided a temporary sense of hope. Bangura, a father of two, shared how his children feared deportation. “I have to stay strong and have faith that solutions will be found,” he said.

If the administration’s actions were to proceed, it could force thousands of foreign students to leave the U.S. or transfer, with serious implications for Harvard’s finances and reputation.

President Trump has hinted at further actions against elite universities, criticizing them for not doing enough to counter what he called “anti-American” sentiments on campuses.

For now, Harvard’s international students can breathe a little easier – but the fight is far from over.