Today's News: Federal Judge Blocks Trump from Banning International Students at Harvard

The ruling, issued swiftly after the lawsuit was filed, prevents immediate harm to the university’s nearly 7,000 international students.

Photo: Scott Eisen/Getty Images

Overview

• Date: May 23, 2025

• Topic: Federal Judge Blocks Trump Administration from Banning International Students at Harvard

• Summary: A federal judge issued a temporary restraining order blocking the Trump administration’s attempt to revoke Harvard University's ability to enroll international students. The administration had cited Harvard’s alleged failure to combat antisemitism and respond to requests for disciplinary records as justification. Harvard sued, claiming the action was unconstitutional retaliation for resisting ideological interference. The ruling, issued swiftly after the lawsuit was filed, prevents immediate harm to the university’s nearly 7,000 international students. A hearing is set for the following week to determine whether a preliminary injunction should be granted.

Sources

• The New York Times: Judge Blocks Trump Effort to Bar International Students at Harvard

• CNN: Federal judge halts Trump administration ban on Harvard’s ability to enroll international students

• NBC News: Federal judge blocks the Trump administration from revoking Harvard's ability to enroll foreign students

• Fox News: Judge temporarily pauses Trump move to cancel Harvard student visa policy after lawsuit

• The Washington Post: Judge temporarily blocks effort to ban Harvard from enrolling foreign students

• The Wall Street Journal: Judge Halts Government’s Move to Bar International Students at Harvard

Key Points

• A federal judge issued a temporary restraining order against the Trump administration’s revocation of Harvard’s ability to host international students.

• The administration’s action was based on Harvard’s alleged failure to provide full disciplinary records of student visa holders.

• Harvard sued, arguing the move violated its First Amendment rights and was a politically motivated attempt to control academic ideology.

• The decision affects roughly 7,000 international students at Harvard, over 25% of the student body.

• The administration has already frozen billions in federal funding to Harvard and launched multiple investigations into its campus policies.

Unique Highlights

• CNN noted Homeland Security's additional demand for five years of international student conduct records within 72 hours and highlighted student and faculty reactions, including direct student interviews.

• The New York Times reported that this was Harvard’s second lawsuit against the administration and detailed the broader campaign of federal agency pressure and potential endowment tax increases.

• Fox News included specific details about the requested footage of protests and past disciplinary incidents involving international students.

• The Washington Post featured DHS Secretary Kristi Noem’s accusation that Harvard trained Chinese Communist Party affiliates.

• The Wall Street Journal emphasized the financial stakes, citing lost research funding and threats to Harvard’s tax-exempt status.

• NBC News quoted Harvard's internal communications and highlighted The Crimson’s editorial condemning the administration's move.

Contrasting Details

• CNN and The New York Times both frame the administration’s actions as ideologically driven retaliation, while Fox News emphasizes enforcement of immigration law in response to alleged antisemitic and violent activities.

• The Washington Post and CNN highlight the emotional and academic turmoil experienced by international students; Fox News focuses more on administrative and legal aspects.

• CNN and NBC News explicitly cite the administration’s targeting of foreign students in response to protests; Fox News stresses national security and legal compliance.

• The Wall Street Journal underscores the financial dependency on international tuition, while The New York Times stresses Harvard’s identity as inherently international.

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