US resumes visa processing for Harvard students after court blocks Trump's policy ban

The US State Department has directed all consular sections worldwide to restart issuing student and exchange visitor visas for Harvard University. This move comes after a federal court in Boston temporarily blocked President Donald Trump’s order banning foreign students from studying at the university.

A diplomatic cable dated June 6, signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, instructed US missions abroad to comply with the court’s decision. The cable said the action was “in accordance with” a temporary restraining order issued by US District Judge Allison Burroughs.

The judge’s order, granted late last week, prevents Trump’s proclamation from taking effect until further legal proceedings are completed. The administration had cited national security reasons to justify the entry ban on international students at Harvard.


The court intervention comes amid wider tensions between the Trump administration and Harvard. Over recent weeks, the administration has frozen grants worth $2.2 billion and suggested removing the university’s tax-exempt status. Harvard has filed multiple legal challenges in response.

The university claims the administration’s actions are politically motivated, accusing officials of trying to control its governance, teaching content, and the ideological leanings of faculty and students.

While the State Department has not issued a public comment, the June 6 cable noted that all other student visa guidelines remain unchanged. These include enhanced social media checks and a review of applicants’ online presence.

Harvard, which enrolls thousands of international students each year, continues to battle a series of government restrictions affecting its academic and financial independence.

(With inputs from Reuters)