But she declined to include several provisions that Harvard asked for in its proposed language for the injunction.
Still, the injunction “allows Harvard to continue enrolling international students and scholars while the case moves forward,” a University spokesperson wrote.
International students have already faced obstacles at consulates, embassies, and airports after federal officers followed outdated guidance or disregarded Burroughs’ orders.
Both cables were only made public because they were leaked to the Washington Post — and at least two students found themselves denied papers despite Burroughs’ order.
The injunction, instead, requires the government to file a “status report” detailing its compliance with the order within three days.
Last updated at 6:16 p.m. on June 20, 2025. A.
While President Donald Trump’s entry ban on holders of Harvard-sponsored visas remains unaddressed, a federal judge on Friday granted Harvard a preliminary injunction stopping the Trump administration’s removal of its ability to enroll international students.
Until United States District Judge Allison D. Burroughs renders a decision in the University’s lawsuit, the preliminary injunction will stop the federal government from revoking Harvard’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification on May 22.
Additionally, Burroughs instructed the federal government to provide instructions to customs and consular officials to ignore the revocation and record its compliance within the following 72 hours.
However, she refused to add a number of clauses that Harvard requested be included in its suggested wording for the injunction.
She didn’t stop the government from enforcing a “categorical restriction” that would have prevented Trump’s June 4 entry ban by limiting Harvard’s capacity to host researchers, instructors, and students on F and J visas. Up until Monday, the entry ban is blocked by a temporary restraining order.
She also failed to put a 30-day hold on the Trump administration’s second attempt to have Harvard’s SEVP certification revoked. As early as Wednesday, that May 28-started endeavor might start to bear fruit.
However, a University representative stated that the injunction “permits Harvard to continue enrolling international students and scholars while the case moves forward.”. Following Burroughs’ directive, the Harvard International Office sent out a message to current international students stating that Harvard “strongly opposes any effort to withdraw the University’s certification.”. “”.
The HIO wrote that “we expect the judge to issue a more enduring decision in the coming days” in reference to Trump’s proclamation announced on June 4. “”.
In its draft injunction, Harvard had asked for a copy of the guidance the Trump administration issues to consulates, embassies, and ports of entry. Burroughs did not request this provision, citing the need to reassure international students and demonstrate that the government was following the court’s orders.
Already, federal officials have ignored Burroughs’ directives or followed out-of-date guidelines, causing problems for international students at airports, embassies, and consulates.
The State Department ordered consular employees to refuse visas to Harvard students after Trump’s June 4 proclamation, but it swiftly revoked the order after Burroughs blocked it the following day. Burroughs ordered at least two students to submit papers, but both cables were only made public after being leaked to the Washington Post.
“This surety is more than justified given the government’s pattern of behavior thus far and the chaos it has caused,” Harvard wrote.
Instead, within three days of the injunction, the government must submit a “status report” outlining its adherence to the directive.
The lawsuit’s federal agencies, which include the State Department, the Department of Justice, and the Department of Homeland Security, clashed with Harvard after the DHS requested that Harvard provide copious records on foreign students, including their involvement in protests.
Harvard claimed to have partially complied by providing all the legally required documents, but on May 22, the DHS declared the response inadequate and revoked Harvard’s SEVP status. Burroughs issued a temporary restraining order within hours of Harvard filing a lawsuit the following day.
The DHS reportedly tried to thwart Harvard’s claims that the revocation, which went into effect right away and left the University without an opportunity to appeal, was procedurally incorrect on May 28. This time, Harvard was given 30 days’ notice by the agency that the University’s SEVP status would be withdrawn.
Harvard will probably have to wait until the revocation takes effect at the end of June before requesting a second block, as Burroughs has now denied the University’s request to reset the ticking clock.
The author Matan H. You can contact Josephy at matan . josephy@thecrimson . com. You can follow him on X @matanjosephy.
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