US Resumes Harvard Student Visas After Judge Blocks Trump Ban

Last Updated:June 10, 2025, 13:39 IST

The Trump administration had justified the student visa ban on national security grounds, but Harvard countered that it was being targeted for resisting White House.

US President Donald Trump (File Photo)

The US State Department has directed all American embassies and consular sections worldwide to resume processing student and exchange visitor visas for Harvard University, following a federal judge’s decision to temporarily block President Donald Trump’s ban on foreign students at the Ivy League institution.

In a diplomatic cable dated June 6 and signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the State Department said the revised instructions were issued “in accordance with" the temporary restraining order granted by US District Judge Allison Burroughs in Boston. The judge blocked the Trump administration’s proclamation from taking effect while further legal proceedings continue.

The Trump administration had justified the student visa ban on national security grounds, but Harvard countered that it was being targeted in retaliation for resisting White House efforts to exert control over the university’s governance, curriculum, and campus ideology.

The diplomatic cable also noted that other visa requirements remain unchanged, including enhanced social media vetting and review of applicants’ online presence. The State Department declined to comment on the internal communication when approached.

This legal battle is part of a broader standoff between the Trump administration and Harvard, which has also seen funding freezes and proposals to revoke the university’s tax-exempt status, escalating tensions between the federal government and one of the country’s most prestigious academic institutions.

News world US Resumes Harvard Student Visas After Judge Blocks Trump Ban