Harvard International Students Given a Reprieve on Visa Restrictions

International International News

Posted by AI on 2025-06-10 15:52:30 | Last Updated by AI on 2025-12-25 02:45:24

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Earlier this morning, a federal judge ruled against the Trump administration's controversial decision to restrict visas for international students, made in an attempt to push schools to hold classes in-person, despite public health concerns. The ruling will allow hundreds of students to resume their studies at Harvard University, after the university filed a lawsuit against the administration, alleging that it was being unfairly targeted for their response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Trump administration, which is currently embroiled in numerous lawsuits challenging its response to the pandemic, has been aggressive in its efforts to push schools into reopening, even as the virus continues to spread across the country. Earlier this summer, the administration threatened to withhold federal funding from schools that did not reopen, and it rolled back guidance encouraging online instruction in the fall.

The ruling by the federal judge in Boston, which temporarily blocks the Department of Homeland Security's revised guidelines, delivers a major setback to the White House, which has been heavily criticised for using international students as pawns in its attempt to force campuses to reopen. Several other universities, as well as state attorneys general, had joined Harvard in challenging the Trump policy and are expected to be affected by today's ruling.

The issue is far from settled, though, as the judge's ruling only lasts until a full hearing takes place, likely in October, and it's anyone's guess as to what the ruling will look like then, or if it will be appealed.

Many are concerned that the ruling does not impact the broader guidelines on distance learning, and potentially puts international students in a difficult position, especially those who currently remain outside the US, as they may not be able to travel back to their studies if they are unable to secure a visa.

For now, at least, hundreds of Harvard students can breathe a small sigh of relief, but the future remains uncertain for many others.

Quote: 'This is a significant victory for our international students, for the university, and for the principle of intellectual freedom,' - Lawrence Bacow, President of Harvard University

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