US judge blocks Trump administration decision to bar foreign student enrolment at Harvard

The move comes as part of Trump’s broader crackdown on university campuses, with a particular focus on international students—especially those voicing support for Palestine following the Israel-Hamas war.

What does the DHS letter say?

In a letter dated May 22, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) revoked Harvard’s SEVP certification, accusing it of fostering an “unsafe” environment for Jews, promoting “pro-Hamas sympathies,” and implementing “racial” DEI policies.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem also accused the university of ties with the Chinese Communist Party. The DHS gave Harvard 72 hours to meet six conditions, including submitting records of illegal or threatening activities by non-immigrant students and protest-related footage from the past five years.

How does this impact Harvard ?

International students make up 27.2 per cent of Harvard’s student body. Losing SEVP certification means the university can no longer enroll new international students or issue I-20 forms—documents essential for student visas. Harvard risks a significant hit to its academic diversity and revenue if the situation isn’t resolved quickly.

The decision puts thousands of international students in limbo. While those graduating soon may be allowed a grace period, new admits face uncertainty. A court has temporarily blocked the DHS action, which may offer relief, but without SEVP certification, incoming students can’t legally enroll unless Harvard complies or they transfer to another SEVP-approved institution.