Federal judge blocks Trump admin's decision to bar foreign student at Harvard

These students, hailing from cities like Mumbai, Delhi, and Bengaluru, are not only excelling in academics but also contributing to groundbreaking research and strengthening ties between the US and India

- MPOST BUREAU

NEW DELHI/WASHINGTON: A federal judge has temporarily blocked the Trump administration's decision to strip Harvard University of its ability to enroll international students, offering immediate relief to over 500 Indian students who faced uncertainty over their academic futures in the United States.

The ruling, issued by the US District Court in Massachusetts on Friday, came just hours after Harvard filed an urgent lawsuit challenging the federal government's order to revoke its certification under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). The programme enables US universities to enroll foreign nationals under F-1 and J-1 visa categories.

In its lawsuit, Harvard described the move as "sudden and baseless," arguing that it threatens to upend the lives of thousands of students, including a significant number from India who had invested their future in a Harvard education.

"Yesterday, the government abruptly revoked that certification without process or cause, to immediate and devastating effect for Harvard and more than 7,000 visa holders," the university said in its 70-page complaint.

According to Harvard's International Office, between 500 to 800 Indian students and scholars are enrolled at the university each year. For the 2024-25 academic year alone, the number stands at 788—many of them working on advanced research and degree programs in science, technology, public policy, and medicine.

"These students, hailing from cities like Mumbai, Delhi, and Bengaluru, are not only excelling in academics but also contributing to groundbreaking research and strengthening ties between the US and India," said Ajay Bhutoria, former advisor to President Joe Biden on the AANHPI Commission.