Harvard Student Visas Back on Track After Court Blocks Trump-Era Restriction

In a significant policy reversal, the U.S. State Department has reinstated the processing of international student and exchange visitor visas for individuals attending Harvard University. The move comes after a court ruling halted the enforcement of a presidential proclamation that previously targeted the university over national security concerns.

The original order, issued under the direction of President Trump, had led U.S. consular offices around the world to deny visa applications for new Harvard students and exchange visitors. The proclamation had also instructed the Secretary of State to consider revoking the visas of currently enrolled students who met certain unspecified criteria.

However, following legal intervention, Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a new directive to all U.S. embassies and consulates. The cable instructed consular officers to immediately resume processing all Harvard-affiliated F, M, and J visa applications without delay or denial, stating explicitly that “no such applications should be refused.”

Previously, the administration justified the restrictions by citing vague national security risks, singling out Harvard while allowing visa processing for other universities to continue under normal procedures. The updated order ensures that Harvard international students are now treated in line with their peers across the country.

This development brings relief to incoming and current international students who faced uncertainty about their academic future in the U.S. Legal experts say it also serves as a reminder of the critical checks and balances that exist within the immigration system.