The Trump administration announced on Friday its decision to appeal a district court judge’s ruling that blocked a proclamation aiming to prevent international students from attending Harvard University.
The appeal was filed in federal court in Boston, intensifying an ongoing dispute that began in May regarding the enrollment of international students at the institution.
This conflict escalated earlier this month when a White House proclamation on June 4 accused Harvard of having “entanglements with foreign countries, including our adversaries,” specifically mentioning donations received from Chinese entities.
U.S. District Court Judge Allison D. Burroughs issued a ruling on Monday that barred enforcement of the proclamation, criticizing the Trump administration's actions as attempts to control a reputable academic institution and suppress diverse viewpoints that may oppose the administration's policies.
Judge Burroughs also expressed concern about the impact of these efforts on international students and, ultimately, on U.S. citizens, stating that the government had given “little thought to the consequences” for these groups.
The judge's ruling will remain in effect until the resolution of Harvard’s lawsuit against the administration.
In defending its stance, the Trump administration referenced a 70-year-old law intended to restrict foreign enemies from the U.S., arguing that the university's international student body represented a national security threat.
Judge Burroughs dismissed this rationale as “absurd.”
The administration's legal team also cited a Supreme Court decision that upheld a 2017 travel ban on individuals from several majority Muslim countries.
Harvard, which is renowned for its global influence, enrolls approximately 7,000 international students and scholars annually, constituting about 25 percent of its total student population, including 2,000 recent graduates.
While the appeal is pending, Harvard is formulating contingency plans for some international students to study remotely or at international sites, similar to arrangements made during the pandemic.
The Kennedy School of Government at Harvard has announced plans to collaborate with the University of Toronto to accommodate some of these students.