At a Glance (Updated June 24, 2025)

• A federal judge has issued two separate injunctions blocking the Trump administration’s attempts to revoke Harvard’s SEVP certification (May 23) and ban new international student visas (June 23); both actions are now on hold.
  
• President Trump said on June 20 that Harvard has acted “appropriately” and hinted at a possible negotiated settlement between the university and the White House.
  
•  International students can continue to attend Harvard under valid visas, but legal experts still advise caution, including avoiding international travel and preparing contingency plans until all litigation is resolved.

State Department Reverses Harvard Visa Ban After Court Blocks Trump Order

UPDATE — June 24, 2025: As of June 24, 2025, the legal status of Harvard’s ability to enroll international students remains protected. A federal judge has indefinitely blocked both the Trump administration’s attempt to revoke Harvard’s SEVP certification and the more recent executive proclamation that would have suspended new visas for students entering Harvard. However, the situation remains fluid as broader litigation continues and negotiations between Harvard and the White House intensify.

International students can continue to attend Harvard under valid visas, but legal experts still advise caution, including avoiding international travel and preparing contingency plans until all litigation is resolved.

June 23, 2025: Federal Judge Blocks Trump’s Visa Ban

On June 23, U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs issued a preliminary injunction blocking the Trump administration from enforcing its June 4 proclamation, which sought to bar new international students from entering the U.S. to study at Harvard. The court found the proclamation likely violated Harvard’s First Amendment rights, calling it a retaliatory effort to pressure the university over its academic policies and refusal to meet federal demands.

The injunction extends a temporary restraining order previously issued and now halts the visa ban indefinitely. This decision allows newly admitted international students to continue applying for and entering the U.S. on Harvard-issued visas while the case proceeds.

June 20, 2025: Trump Hints at Possible Deal with Harvard

President Trump said on June 20 that Harvard has “acted extremely appropriately” in ongoing negotiations and suggested that a deal between the university and the White House could be announced “over the next week or so.” In a social media post, he described the potential agreement as “historic” and “very good for our Country.”

A source familiar with the discussions told CNN that talks are ongoing between senior Harvard officials and the administration, and characterized a deal as more likely than not. While no final agreement has been reached, the discussions could potentially resolve legal disputes over student visas and federal funding.

June 7: State Department Reverses Harvard Visa Ban After Court Blocks Trump Order

June 7, 2025 — In a dramatic late-night reversal, the U.S. State Department on Friday instructed American consulates around the world to resume processing visas for international students planning to attend Harvard University. The directive, issued at 7:55 p.m., rescinded guidance sent just 24 hours earlier that had ordered consular officials to deny such visa requests—even for students who had already been approved. 

The initial instruction, issued before a federal judge blocked President Trump’s latest proclamation targeting Harvard, had directed that visas be canceled using a newly created rejection code: “HRVD.” While the new cable orders consulates to continue with visa vetting, including enhanced screening such as social media reviews, legal experts warn that the department retains broad discretionary power. They caution that even with the official freeze lifted, rejection rates may rise and processing delays could persist for students admitted to Harvard.

June 5, 2025: Trump Signs Executive Proclamation Blocking Foreign Nationals From Entering the U.S. For Studying at Harvard 

June 5, 2025 — In an extraordinary escalation of the federal government’s actions against Harvard University, President Donald J. Trump signed an executive proclamation on June 4 that blocks foreign nationals from entering the U.S. to begin studies or participate in exchange programs at Harvard. 

The executive action, framed as a national security measure, suspends entry for all new F-1, M-1, and J-1 visa holders seeking to study at Harvard and instructs federal agencies to consider additional restrictions, including potential visa revocations for some current students. 

Legal experts expect immediate litigation. The proclamation comes just days after the Department of Homeland Security attempted to revoke Harvard’s SEVP certification—a move temporarily halted by a federal court’s restraining order. The executive order appears designed to bypass that ruling, and has stunned higher education institutions across the country.

May 23, 2025: Federal Court Temporarily Blocks DHS Action Against Harvard

May 23, 2025 —In a rapid series of events with major implications for international education, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) attempted to revoke Harvard University’s ability to enroll international students on May 22, 2025. 

The move, which would have stripped the university of its certification under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), was temporarily blocked the next day by a federal judge, who granted Harvard a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) preventing DHS from enforcing the decision pending further hearings.

The judge’s order blocks DHS and affiliated agencies from enforcing the May 22 revocation or treating Harvard as decertified under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)—at least until further hearings are held.

Under the TRO:

• DHS is prohibited from enforcing the revocation notice issued on May 22
• Harvard is no longer obligated to comply with a Sunday deadline to produce student records
• A status hearing is scheduled for May 27, followed by a preliminary injunction hearing on May 29

Burroughs, who previously presided over Harvard and MIT’s successful 2021 challenge to ICE’s remote learning visa policy, emphasized the urgency of protecting students and institutional due process.

May 22, 2025: DHS Targets Harvard in Immigration Crackdown

The decision on May 22, issued by DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, attempted to block Harvard from issuing new I-20 forms and enrolling foreign students under SEVP, the program for managing foreign students and exchange visitors in the U.S. The order would have required current international students to transfer to another certified institution or risk losing their legal status in the U.S.

DHS cited an ongoing federal investigation into Harvard’s handling of SEVP requirements and claimed the university failed to comply with formal data requests regarding its international student population. 

Harvard has strongly denied the allegations and filed an emergency lawsuit just hours after the notice was issued, resulting in a Temporary Restraining Order from a federal judge the next day.

This action is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to assert stricter control over legal immigration pathways, particularly through student, employment-based, and academic visa programs. The Harvard case represents the most high-profile enforcement yet under this strategy.

Stay or Transfer? Harvard Students Face a Difficult Choice

This move signals a stark warning to all U.S. educational institutions: failure to comply with immigration regulations could result in the revocation of student visa privileges. DHS has made clear that compliance with SEVP protocols, data transparency, and lawful enrollment practices are now under aggressive federal review.

As a result, international students now face a difficult decision: stay enrolled at Harvard and hope that the lawsuit against DHS ends in their favor, or transfer to another institution for stability and potentially lose out on a degree from one of the world’s most prestigious universities.

Legal Experts: “This Is Unprecedented”

According to Manifest Law’s Senior Counsel, Henry Lindpere, the action against Harvard is without modern precedent.

“The U.S. government has never taken this kind of action against a university of Harvard’s stature. It sends shockwaves through the academic and immigration communities,” said Lindpere. “This is sure to impact many research and innovation-heavy industries in the area, including cancer research, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and more. This is also likely to damage the country’s reputation in the eyes of prospective top talent.”

While DHS has previously suspended smaller institutions over SEVP violations, experts say applying the same measures to a top-tier research university introduces uncertainty for thousands of students and the broader U.S. immigration system.

What This Means for F-1 and J-1 Visa Holders and OPT Participants

DHS’s attempt to revoke Harvard’s SEVP certification affects a wide range of international students across multiple visa categories. While a federal judge has issued a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) halting DHS from enforcing the revocation of Harvard’s SEVP certification, the legal situation remains unresolved. 

A TRO is essentially a pause. It blocks the government’s action for now so the court can fully consider the case. It’s designed to prevent harm, particularly to students, in case Harvard ultimately prevails.

That means students are not currently required to transfer or change status, but they should not wait passively, either.

“The TRO ruling gives students breathing room, not a guarantee,” said Lindpere. “Students should follow the case closely while seeking legal advice and taking proactive steps to protect their future in the U.S.”

What Harvard Students on a Visa Should Do Next 

With the legal outcome still pending, students should use this time to prepare for all possibilities, including a quick transfer if needed. 

F-1 student visa holders, who make up the majority of Harvard’s international student population, would have been required to transfer to another SEVP-certified school to remain in lawful status if the revocation had taken effect. Although the TRO temporarily prevents this, students should still be exploring backup schools in case Harvard loses the lawsuit.

J-1 exchange visitors, including researchers, scholars, and graduate fellows, would also lose legal status if Harvard were permanently stripped of its sponsor role. While the TRO gives temporary relief, J-1 holders should prepare to transfer quickly if the court allows DHS to move forward.

OPT and STEM OPT participants are in a particularly delicate position. Their work authorization depends on Harvard’s SEVIS oversight. If you’re on OPT and your employer is willing to sponsor you for a work visa (such as an H-1B), legal experts recommend pursuing that route now.

For all students who stay enrolled at Harvard, legal experts also recommend avoiding international travel until the litigation is over. Otherwise, students could be outside of the US and unable to get back in if the court decides in DHS’s favor and their SEVIS record is terminated.

Who Else Is at Risk? 

While DHS’s order currently targets Harvard, the agency is actively investigating other universities. Institutions with high concentrations of foreign students or those engaged in litigation or federal disputes may face similar audits. 

As of May 23, the U.S. Department of Education has opened at least 100 investigations aligned with core Trump administration policy priorities, according to an Education Week analysis of department announcements and local news reports. This signals a broader federal campaign to scrutinize schools not just for compliance, but for ideological and policy alignment.

Prospective students planning to study in the U.S., especially under the F-1 (academic), M-1 (vocational), or J-1 (exchange visitor) visa categories, should take extra precautions:

• Confirm that your institution remains SEVP-certified.
• Maintain a complete and accurate record of your academic activities and visa status.
• Consult with your school’s Designated School Official (DSO) or an immigration attorney if your circumstances change.

Economic and Industry Impact

If DHS’s revocation ultimately survives legal challenge, the decision could have significant ripple effects across the U.S. economy and labor market. According to a 2024 report by the National Association of Foreign Student Advisers (NAFSA), international students contributed over $43 billion to the U.S. economy in 2023-2024, supporting more than 378,000 jobs nationwide.

Revoking the ability of top-tier institutions to enroll foreign students could diminish the U.S.’s competitive edge in higher education, reduce its global academic influence, and restrict access to highly skilled workers in key fields like technology, engineering, and medicine.

Harvard’s potential decertification could also deter future students from applying to U.S. universities and accelerate a shift toward countries like Canada, Australia, and Singapore, where visa policies are seen as more stable.

Universities abroad, including Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, have already begun offering “unconditional” admission and expedited transfers for affected Harvard students.

Bottom Line: Temporary Injunctions Provide Stability For Now, But Uncertainty Remains

Federal court rulings have now indefinitely blocked both the DHS decertification order and the Trump administration’s visa ban targeting Harvard, offering international students temporary stability. Students admitted to Harvard can continue to apply for and enter the U.S. under valid visas, and the university remains SEVP-certified.

However, the broader legal battle is far from over. Ongoing negotiations between Harvard and the White House could result in a settlement that reshapes the situation. Immigration attorneys continue to urge caution: stay informed, seek legal counsel, avoid international travel if possible, and have a backup academic or legal plan in place as litigation and political dynamics evolve.

Manifest Law is offering free consultations for students affected. Book a consultation here or email help@manifestlaw.com.  

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Recent news: 

• Judge indefinitely blocks Trump’s proclamation suspending new Harvard international students | CNN Politics
• https://edition.cnn.com/2025/06/20/politics/harvard-trump-potential-deal (from Nicole)