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• A federal judge has issued a temporary restraining order blocking the Trump administration from revoking Harvard’s ability to enroll international students.
• The move follows a dispute over Harvard’s compliance with a government request for records related to international students.
• Harvard’s president, Alan Garber, emphasizes the importance of standing firm against what the university sees as retaliatory actions.

Quick Brief

2-Minute Digest

Essential Context

The Trump administration’s latest move to revoke Harvard’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification has been met with strong resistance from the university. Harvard argues that this action is a blatant violation of the First Amendment, the Due Process Clause, and the Administrative Procedure Act.

Core Players

• Alan Garber – President of Harvard University
• Donald Trump – President Trump, involved in the current administration’s policies
• Kristi Noem – Homeland Security Secretary, who issued the revocation letter
• U.S. District Judge Allison D. Burroughs – Issued the temporary restraining order

Key Numbers

• $3 billion – Potential funding at risk for Harvard University, as suggested by Trump
• Thousands – Number of international students and scholars affected by the revocation
• May 23, 2025 – Date Harvard filed its initial complaint and motion for a temporary restraining order
• May 24, 2025 – Date the temporary restraining order was issued

Full Depth

Complete Coverage

The Catalyst

The dispute began when the Trump administration requested records related to Harvard’s international students on April 16, 2025. Harvard provided thousands of data points but was deemed noncompliant by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

DHS then revoked Harvard’s SEVP certification, citing the university’s failure to comply and additional grievances unrelated to the SEVP program.

Inside Forces

Harvard’s response was swift, with the university filing a complaint and a motion for a temporary restraining order. The complaint alleges that the revocation is “undisguised retaliation” and a violation of Harvard’s rights.

President Alan Garber emphasized the critical role international students play at Harvard, stating that without them, “Harvard is not Harvard.”

Power Dynamics

The Trump administration’s actions are seen as part of a broader campaign to influence universities’ policies and speech. The revocation letter from DHS mentions rooting out “anti-Americanism and antisemitism” on campuses.

This move has significant implications for the power dynamics between the federal government and elite educational institutions.

Outside Impact

The temporary restraining order issued by U.S. District Judge Allison D. Burroughs has halted the revocation, but the broader implications are far-reaching. The case could set a precedent for how universities interact with federal authorities.

Additionally, Trump has suggested considering the revocation of another $3 billion in funding from Harvard, which could have severe consequences for the university’s research and academic programs.

Future Forces

A hearing is set for Thursday to determine whether the temporary restraining order will be extended. This hearing will be crucial in resolving the immediate fate of Harvard’s international students and scholars.

In the long term, the outcome of this case could influence federal policies on international student enrollment and the relationship between universities and the government.

Data Points

• April 16, 2025 – Date of the government’s request for records related to international students
• May 7, 2025 – Date DHS notified Harvard of the perceived incompleteness of the initial data production
• May 23, 2025 – Date Harvard filed its complaint and motion for a temporary restraining order
• May 24, 2025 – Date the temporary restraining order was issued