Harvard University, which is now suing the Trump administration over this issue. The argument focuses on a campus-specific ban on international student enrollment. The conflict has escalated to the court system, where Harvard is seeking resolutions to protect its student body and academic integrity. The university’s lawsuit attacks the government’s draconian restrictions on international students — restrictions that have particularly troubling and relevant consequences for the university’s large international student body.
The legal firestorm began to boil over after one U.S. district judge issued disparate preliminary injunctions in favor of Harvard. These injunctions are intended to temporarily stop enforcement of the international student enrollment ban pending litigation of the case. The judge’s ruling marks a key victory in the long-standing battle over this conflict. It gives Harvard the greenlight to continue its discriminatory enrollment practices while Harvard waits for the case to be decided.
In court, the judge expressed skepticism towards the Trump administration’s arguments for freezing federal research funds as part of the broader enforcement of the enrollment ban. This skepticism marks a likely hurdle for the government, as it will need to clearly persuade the court of the merits of its actions in opposition to Harvard’s arguments. The implications of this legal scrutiny could reach well beyond Harvard, impacting other Title VI institutions and their ability to recruit and enroll international students.
And in addition, as we’ve noted, former President Donald Trump has personally threatened to litigate against any court wins that Harvard manages to score. This assertion emphasizes how deep the fight is and indicates that this legal case is just getting started. Trump remains hellbent on fighting these rulings. Such preparedness signals that both sides are preparing for significant, potentially yearslong legal disputes that will have enormous implications for higher education and immigration policy.
Even as Harvard fights its legal battle on other fronts, the university is now intent on protecting the safety of its international student population. The continuing litigation makes evident that this case is about much more than just educational access — it’s about the role of federal intervention in academic affairs. Harvard’s efforts reflect a commitment to uphold its values as an inclusive institution, despite facing formidable opposition from the federal government.