US judge extends block on Trump’s international students ban amidst Harvard Commencement Day; What happens now?

All eyes on Harvard now.The internationally acclaimed university in the United States of America has been facing ban on international students under the Trump 2.0 administration, as the Department of Homeland Security directed to terminate Harvard’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification, citing the university’s refusal to provide conduct records for foreign students as requested by the DHS in the previous month.

The White House emphasized that “enrolling foreign students is a privilege, not a right,” accusing Harvard’s leadership of transforming the university into a center of what it described as anti-American and anti-Semitic sentiment.The DHS released a statement indicating that Harvard can no longer enroll foreign students, and existing foreign students must either transfer or risk losing their legal status.A day later, a federal judge, Allison D Burroughs, blocked the Trump administration from cutting off Harvard’s enrollment of foreign students. On May 29, a significant legal development occurred as the US District Judge Burroughs extended a temporary restraining order that prevents the Trump administration from revoking Harvard University's certification to enroll international students.This decision coincided with Harvard's commencement ceremony, highlighting the importance of the ruling for the university's global community.

The chronology of events:

The Trump 2.0 administration had previously announced plans to withdraw Harvard's Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification, alleging that the university failed to comply with visa scrutiny rules and accusing it of harboring foreign influence.

In response, Harvard filed a lawsuit, arguing that the administration's actions violated federal procedures and were politically motivated attacks on academic freedom.In its lawsuit filed in federal court in Boston, Harvard said the government’s action violates the First Amendment and will have an “immediate and devastating effect for Harvard and more than 7,000 visa holders.” Harvard said in the suit, “With the stroke of a pen, the government has sought to erase a quarter of Harvard’s student body, international students who contribute significantly to the University and its mission.

Without its international students, Harvard is not Harvard.”In a shift in its approach, the administration later provided Harvard with 30-day window to contest the revocation. However, Judge Burroughs determined that the temporary restraining order should remain in effect until a preliminary injunction is issued, ensuring that Harvard can continue to enroll international students without the immediate threat of certification withdrawal.

Harvard's response on Commencement Day

Amidst these legal proceedings, Harvard's 2025 commencement ceremony proceeded with a strong message of support for international students. Graduates and speakers emphasized the importance of diversity, academic freedom, and the university's commitment to inclusivity.

President Alan M Garber began his commencement address by welcoming the 9,000 or so graduates—making a point to emphasize that they were from “down the street, across the country, and around the world,” and once again, as a clear address to the ongoing restrictive efforts of the Trump administration, Garber repeated, “Around the world, just as it should be.”As the line was a defiant critique of the Trump administration, the moment Garber delivered the words, the audience of 30,000 rose in a standing ovation that lasted more than 30 seconds.Notable figures, including author Dr. Abraham Verghese and activist Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, praised Harvard's resilience in the face of political pressures. Dr. Verghese likened the university to a "besieged community," while Abdul-Jabbar drew parallels between President Garber's stance and Rosa Parks' historic civil rights stand.

What’s ahead?

The extension of the restraining order provides Harvard with additional time to prepare its case against the administration's actions. The university now has 30 days to submit written representations under oath and supported by documentary evidence, setting forth the reasons why SEVP should not withdraw its certification. This period allows Harvard to mount a comprehensive defense, potentially influencing the outcome of the preliminary injunction hearing.The broader implications of this legal battle extend beyond Harvard. The Trump administration's actions have raised concerns about the future of international education in the United States. The abrupt revocation of visas for over 1,000 international students nationwide, including those at prestigious institutions like Harvard and Stanford, has created uncertainty and fear among the global student community.As the legal proceedings continue, the outcome will likely set a precedent for how the US government interacts with international students and institutions. The case underscores the tension between national security concerns and the values of academic freedom and diversity that many universities uphold.