Harvard’s temporary court victory over Trump unlikely to last, experts say

A federal judge in Massachusetts has granted Harvard University’s emergency request to block the Trump administration’s effort to ban international students from its campus. The ruling, made by U.S. District Judge Allison D. Burroughs, states that Harvard would likely suffer “immediate and irreparable harm” if the ban were enforced.

The temporary restraining order prevents the administration from stripping Harvard of its certification status under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), run by the Department of Homeland Security. This program allows universities to sponsor international students for U.S. visas.

Harvard has argued that the ban would have a detrimental impact on the university, and the judge agreed that there was evidence to suggest immediate harm would be caused. The ruling is a temporary fix, allowing for further examination of the case.

The Trump administration has taken several actions against Harvard since President Trump took office, including freezing over $2 billion in grants and contracts awarded to the university and launching investigations led by six federal agencies. These actions have created uncertainty at Harvard.

If Harvard were to lose its SEVP certification, international students currently enrolled at the university would have a limited time to transfer to another U.S. institution or risk losing their student visas within 180 days. The uncertainty surrounding Harvard’s status may deter international students from attending or applying to the university.

Despite the potential financial impact of losing international students, experts believe that Harvard has the resources to withstand any short-term financial losses. The university has a need-blind admissions policy and could fill the slots left by international students with well-qualified domestic applicants.

Private universities like Harvard have built-in margins in their budgets that allow them to operate with more stability and withstand financial hits. While uncertainty is not ideal for Harvard, the university has the capacity to resist and navigate through challenges.

The ruling in favor of Harvard is seen as a temporary relief, with the administration likely to appeal the decision to higher courts. The broader implications of the case, including the impact on international students and the financial stability of the university, will continue to be closely monitored.