Trump v. Harvard: New Executive Order Suspends Entry of Harvard Students and Exchange Visitors

On June 4, 2025, President Trump continued his ongoing assault on Harvard University with a new Executive Order entitled, “Enhancing National Security by Addressing Risks at Harvard University.”

Effective June 4th, the order suspends the entry of all nonimmigrants and exchange visitors bound for Harvard University for a period of 6 months, citing national security concerns over Harvard’s failure to police foreign students and ensure that foreign nationals admitted on student and exchange visitor visas remain in compliance with Federal law.

The executive order also accuses Harvard of having extensive entanglements with foreign adversaries including China.

Who is affected?

All nonimmigrants who enter or attempt to enter the United States to begin attending Harvard University through the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) after the effective date of the proclamation (June 4, 2025).

The executive order further empowers the Secretary of State Marco Rubio to consider in his discretion whether foreign nationals who currently attend Harvard University and are in the United States pursuant to F, M, or J visas, should have their visas revoked pursuant to the proclamation.

Who is not affected?

The suspension does not impact Harvard students who are already inside the United States with a valid student visa as of the effective date of the proclamation.

The suspension also does not apply to any alien who enters the United States to attend other universities through the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP).

It also does not apply to any alien whose entry would be in the national interest, as determined by the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Homeland Security, or their designated representatives.

Impact on Harvard Students Currently in the United States

The executive order does not:

Restrict change or extension of status applications filed with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
Revoke existing visas, I-94, or STEM OPT work authorization status for students currently in the United States

How long will Harvard’s travel ban last?

The suspension will expire, absent extension, 6 months after the date of the proclamation (December 4, 2025).

Within 90 days (September 2^nd) of the proclamation the Attorney General and Secretary of Homeland Security must submit a recommendation to the President on whether to extend or renew the suspension.

The Secretary of State, the Attorney General, and the Secretary of Homeland Security are also directed to consider using their respective authorities under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) to impose limitations on Harvard University’s ability to participate in the SEVP and the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System.

Any such actions must provide an exception for any noncitizen whose entry is deemed to be in the national interest, as determined by the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Homeland Security, or their designated representatives.

Future Legal Challenges

Harvard University is expected to file a lawsuit challenging the executive order based on constitutional grounds and violation of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).

The executive order has disrupted the academic and professional lives of thousands of students, faculty members, and exchange visitors which many have viewed as a politically motivated overreach that undermines academic freedom and will not pass legal muster.

A Harvard lawsuit could soon become another high-profile legal battle over the limits of executive authority in the realm of immigration and education.

Contact Us. If you would like to schedule a consultation, please text 619-483-4549 or call 619-819-9204.

Helpful Links

JOIN OUR NEW FACEBOOK GROUP

Need more immigration updates? We have created a new facebook group to address the impact of the new executive orders and other changing developments. Follow us there!