Harvard’s international enrollment ban can’t be enforced by government immigration agencies. All student visa processing will resume without change. Currently enrolled students don’t have to transfer to keep their legal status.

The government issued the ban on May 22, 2025. It ordered the university to stop accepting new foreign student visa holders. International students attending Harvard had to transfer schools or risk losing their visa status.

Citing the 2024 protests, the government argued Harvard was unable to curtail hate speech on its’ campus. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) ordered Harvard to provide information on students that were involved. Immigration authorities determined these students were detrimental to U.S. foreign policy interests.

Harvard sued the government in response. Courts issued a TRO  against the ban while a federal judge reviewed the case. In response, the government froze two billion dollars slated for the university.

Immigration authorities cannot take any steps to revoke Harvard’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) per the judge’s decision. Government agencies must begin processing student visa applications again. Individuals with invalidated visas due to the enrollment ban should have their statuses restored, too. The decision didn’t mention the judge’s reasoning.

International students make up one quarter of Harvard’s student population. The block means they don’t need to transfer schools to keep their visa status. It’s unclear if the government will file for an appeal.

As always, ImmigrationUSA actively monitors ongoing U.S. immigration news. If you have questions about any U.S. immigration related issue, contact us. Working with an experienced attorney ensures you get the right advice based on the most recent laws. In an ever-evolving immigration policy landscape, we’re with you every step of the way.