Federal judge extends pause on DHS move blocking Harvard from enrolling foreigners

A federal judge on Monday extended a pause on the Department of Homeland Security's decision to revoke Harvard's Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification.

The DHS, in late May, issued its decision amid the administration's ongoing battle with the school over alleged antisemitism and its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs.  U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs issued the original stay last month and extended her own stay to June 23 on Monday, The Hill reported.

Roughly 27% of Harvard's students are foreigners, amounting to about 6,800 students. 

"This administration is holding Harvard accountable for fostering violence, antisemitism, and coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party on its campus. It is a privilege, not a right, for universities to enroll foreign students and benefit from their higher tuition payments to help pad their multibillion-dollar endowments," DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said at the time.

She further said that Harvard could retain its ability to enroll foreign students if it produced documents on foreign students. It did not.