A federal judge in the United States has halted the Trump administration’s controversial move targeting international students.
This ruling comes shortly after Harvard University’s foreign student certification was reportedly revoked.
The injunction, issued by District Judge Jeffrey S. White in California, prevents federal officials from arresting or detaining international students due to their immigration status.
It applies while the court continues to examine a legal challenge against the administration’s policy.
Judge White’s decision is being seen as a major relief for international students across the country.
According to him, the policy had “wreaked havoc” on students’ lives, causing fear, instability, and disruption to their studies.
The ruling provides nationwide protection for visa holders, though it does not cover universities directly.
This legal relief came minutes after Harvard was said to have lost its Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) status.
That decision bars it from enrolling new foreign students.
Those already enrolled were asked to transfer or leave the country.
Harvard may now pursue its own legal route to block the certification removal.
Observers suggest the school could request a temporary restraining order or seek a broader injunction.
Meanwhile, immigration lawyers say students about to graduate will still receive their degrees despite the crisis.
Since returning to office in January, President Trump has increased pressure on elite schools.
Alongside the SEVP revocation, the government has also cut funding and threatened the school’s tax-exempt status.
These actions followed Trump’s January 29 executive order aimed at fighting antisemitism on campuses.
The order came after the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel, which sparked global unrest and renewed attention on campus protests.
The order accused schools of creating hostile environments for Jewish students and introduced a task force to address such incidents.
“This action is needed to protect Jewish students,” the White House insisted.
Judge White’s order offers a path toward balance and signals that the courts are willing to protect student rights.
However, the battle between the federal government and universities is far from over. Advocates are watching closely as more legal challenges arise.
This moment marks a turning point for international students in the U.S. It shows the power of the legal system to intervene when policies risk causing long-term harm.
Institutions are expected to seek stronger protections while students continue to navigate their future amid uncertainty.
