A U.S. federal judge has issued an injunction blocking the Trump administration’s attempt to revoke the legal status of international students enrolled at Harvard University and other institutions nationwide.

The ruling, delivered by District Judge Jeffrey S. White in California, came just minutes after reports emerged that Harvard had lost its certification under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), heightening tensions between the administration and one of the country’s most prestigious universities.

Judge White’s order prohibits federal authorities from arresting or detaining international students based on their immigration status while legal challenges to the policy are ongoing. It represents the first nationwide protection for foreign students since President Donald Trump resumed immigration crackdowns following his return to office in January.

In his decision, Judge White criticized the administration’s actions, stating they had “wreaked havoc” on the lives of international students, undermining their education and personal stability. While some students had previously won individual legal battles, this injunction extends protection more broadly

though it does not currently reinstate SEVP certification for affected universities.

The ruling followed swiftly after the administration announced that Harvard could no longer enroll international students, instructing those already enrolled to transfer to other institutions or leave the country. However, legal experts cited by The Harvard Crimson clarified that the injunction applies only to individual visa holders, not to institutional certifications, meaning Harvard's SEVP status remains suspended for now.

Legal analysts suggest Harvard may next pursue a temporary restraining order or preliminary injunction to halt the loss of its SEVP status while broader legal proceedings continue. Meanwhile, immigration lawyers confirmed that students scheduled to graduate at Harvard’s upcoming Commencement would still be eligible to receive their degrees despite the disruption.

The Trump administration’s actions are part of a broader campaign targeting international students and academic institutions, with Harvard as a primary focus. In addition to the SEVP decertification, the administration has withdrawn federal funding and questioned the university’s tax-exempt status.

These measures follow a January 29 executive order aimed at combating antisemitism on college campuses. The order referenced a rise in discrimination and harassment against Jewish students following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israel, which sparked the ongoing conflict in Gaza. It also established a multi-agency task force to investigate antisemitic incidents in educational settings.

As the legal and political fallout continues, universities, students, and advocacy groups are closely watching how the courts will balance federal immigration authority with institutional autonomy and academic freedom.