The Trump administration is appealing a federal court ruling that blocked its attempt to bar international students from attending Harvard, escalating a legal and political clash over academic autonomy and immigration policy. The dispute began in May and intensified with a June 4 proclamation accusing Harvard of “entanglements” with foreign adversaries, specifically citing donations from Chinese entities. Judge Allison D. Burroughs of the U.S. District Court in Boston halted enforcement of the proclamation, criticizing it as a politically motivated effort to suppress dissenting viewpoints and punish international students. She described the administration’s rationale as “absurd,” arguing that it lacked consideration for the real-world consequences on students and broader U.S. interests.

The administration’s legal argument draws on a Cold War-era statute and references the Supreme Court’s 2017 decision upholding Trump’s travel ban. However, critics argue that the move conflates national security with academic exchange, targeting a university whose international students comprise roughly 25 percent of its student body. Harvard is preparing contingency plans, including remote learning options and partnerships with institutions like the University of Toronto. The case raises broader questions about the limits of executive power in shaping higher education policy and the role of universities in global engagement. As the appeal proceeds, the outcome could set a precedent for the extent to which presidential authority can extend into academic institutions.