Federal judge halts Trump administration's attempt to revoke international students' legal status amid ongoing court case.

Judge Cites ‘Havoc’ as Legal Protections Restored for Students

A federal judge in California issued an injunction Thursday blocking the Trump administration from terminating the legal status of thousands of international students, pending the resolution of a legal challenge to previous visa cancellations. The ruling comes amid a broader federal crackdown on illegal activity and campus protests at U.S. universities.

U.S. District Judge Jeffrey White prohibited the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from arresting or detaining the plaintiffs or similarly situated individuals, from transferring them out of their current jurisdiction, or from reversing the reinstatement of their legal status. The judge's order also bars the government from imposing any negative legal consequences until the case is fully resolved. Students remain subject to arrest for violent crimes.

“The government’s actions wreaked havoc not only on the lives of Plaintiffs here but on similarly situated F-1 nonimmigrants across the United States and continue to do so,” White wrote in his opinion. The decision underscores the uncertainty faced by more than 4,700 international students whose legal ability to study in the U.S. was revoked earlier this year.

In the spring, the Trump administration canceled the F-1 visa status of students identified through a database managed by the FBI, which includes individuals with past arrests or suspicions—even if no charges were filed. The move targeted foreign nationals involved in campus protests, part of the administration’s sweeping immigration enforcement strategy.

While some students have voluntarily left the U.S. to avoid legal consequences, DHS contends that protections from the court are unnecessary. Officials assert that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has reinstated the legal status of affected students and is mailing them formal notification letters. However, Judge White emphasized that the revocations remain visible in federal records and could negatively affect visa renewal or changes in nonimmigrant classification.

DHS Shuts Down Visa Program at Harvard Over Protest Concerns

In a separate but related development, DHS on Thursday announced the termination of the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification for Harvard University. The agency cited “pro-terrorist conduct” during student-led demonstrations and accused the university of failing to provide behavioral records of student visa holders.

“This administration is holding Harvard accountable for fostering violence, antisemitism, and coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party on its campus,” said DHS Secretary Kristi Noem. “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.”

Noem added that Harvard had multiple opportunities to comply with federal law but refused. “They have lost their Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification as a result of their failure to adhere to the law,” she said. “Let this serve as a warning to all universities and academic institutions across the country.”

The ruling and DHS action together signal an intensification of the administration’s focus on immigration enforcement, particularly in higher education. Legal observers expect further litigation as affected institutions and students challenge the administration’s actions in court.