People walk in Harvard Yard at Harvard University on April 15, 2025, in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Photo: AFP

A US federal judge on Friday issued an order allowing Harvard University to continue enrolling international students, extending a block on the US administration's attempt to bar Harvard's international enrollment while the case remains ongoing. US government's Harvard foreign student ban, since its announcement, has sparked global backlash. Experts warn that what the US seeks to do will undoubtedly hurt its own image and reputation in the world.

US District Judge Allison Burroughs on Friday granted a preliminary injunction preventing the US administration from revoking Harvard University's ability to host international students, who make up a quarter of the student body, according to AP.

The order, which follows a temporary block issued by the federal judge last month, indefinitely bars the US government from revoking Harvard's ability to host international students and scholars while legal challenges continue, according to CNN.

The case stems from a May 22 decision by the Department of Homeland Security to revoke Harvard's certification, which would have forced roughly 7,000 international students to leave the university or risk violating immigration rules. New international students would have been barred from coming to Harvard, PBS reported.
 
 Harvard responded by suing the department and rejecting demands from the White House to revise its policies. Judge Burroughs temporarily halted the government's action just hours after the lawsuit was filed, according to PBS.  
 
While Friday's order halts one of the US administration's efforts to block Harvard's enrollment of international students, the fate of Harvard's international students remains in limbo, according to AP.

US government's Harvard foreign student ban, since its announcement, has sparked global backlash. Experts warn that what the US seeks to do will undoubtedly hurt its own image and reputation in the world.

Global Times