The temporary restraining order, which was issued by Obama appointed U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs, stops the government from pulling Harvard’s certification in the Student and Exchange Visitor Program, which allows the school to host international students with visas to study in the U.S.
The Department of Homeland Security announced the action Thursday, accusing Harvard of creating an unsafe campus environment by allowing “anti-American, pro-terrorist agitators” to assault Jewish students on campus. It also accused Harvard of coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party, contending the school had hosted and trained members of a Chinese paramilitary group as recently as 2024.
Homeland Security Secretary, Kristi Noem, said Harvard could regain its ability to host foreign students if it produced a trove of records on foreign students within 72 hours. Her updated request demanded all records, including audio or video footage, of foreign students participating in protests or dangerous activity on campus.
