Federal judge to decide if temporary block on DHS revocation will be extended
Harvard University has been given a 30-day window by the Trump administration to respond to a federal notice that threatens to bar the institution from enrolling foreign students, according to a report by Reuters. The dispute marks a high-stakes legal and political clash over immigration, academic freedom, and federal oversight of U.S. universities.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) had previously issued a directive aimed at revoking Harvard’s ability to admit international students—a move the university said would impact nearly 25% of its student population.
Judge to weigh in on government’s enforcement authority
The reprieve comes ahead of a hearing scheduled for Thursday, where U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs will decide whether to extend a temporary restraining order she issued last Friday. That order blocked DHS from immediately enforcing its decision while the matter undergoes legal review.
Harvard has asked the court to halt what it describes as an unlawful and politically motivated attempt to undermine academic autonomy. The university’s legal team maintains that the government’s actions lacked proper justification, violated federal procedures, and failed to provide the notice required under administrative law.
Trump escalates rhetoric against Harvard, calls for cap on foreign students
Speaking from the Oval Office on Wednesday, President Donald Trump intensified his criticism of the Ivy League institution. “Harvard has got to behave themselves,” he declared, adding that the university should implement a 15% cap on non-U.S. student admissions.
The administration has accused Harvard of harboring antisemitic and violent sentiments on campus, and of allegedly maintaining connections with the Chinese Communist Party. Harvard strongly rejected the allegations, calling the administration’s actions part of an “unprecedented and retaliatory attack on academic freedom at Harvard.”
Additional legal battle over federal research funding
Separately, Harvard is also involved in ongoing litigation over the administration’s decision to withhold $3 billion in federal research grants. University attorneys argue that both actions represent politically charged efforts to punish the institution for perceived ideological opposition and campus activism.
According to DHS regulations, when a university’s certification is at risk, the agency must issue a formal notice explaining the grounds for revocation and provide the institution with a 30-day opportunity to contest the findings and submit evidence. Harvard contends that these procedural steps were bypassed entirely.
Constitutional and procedural concerns raised
In court filings, Harvard’s lawyers claim the government is in violation of the U.S. Constitution—specifically its guarantees of free speech and due process. They also point to violations of the Administrative Procedure Act, which mandates that federal agencies follow established guidelines before taking punitive action.
As the legal battle unfolds, the outcome could have sweeping implications for international education, federal regulatory authority, and the balance between national security concerns and academic independence in the United States.
