Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said Thursday that Harvard University "must change its ways" or risk losing its right to enroll foreign students, as a federal judge said she would issue a preliminary injunction to stop the Trump administration from revoking the school's SEVP certification without first following the legally mandated procedures.

Last week, the Trump administration moved to ban international students from the college, drastically escalating their ongoing dispute. Harvard countered with a lawsuit.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) then wrote to the school on Wednesday, explaining that it now had 30 days to demonstrate compliance with the federal government's requirements to avoid the revocation of its Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) status.

"Harvard's refusal to comply with SEVP oversight was the latest evidence that it disdains the American people and takes for granted U.S. taxpayer benefits," Noem said on X, formerly Twitter, as she shared the letter. "Following our letter to Harvard, the school attempted to claim it now wishes to comply with SEVP standards.

"We continue to reject Harvard's repeated pattern of endangering its students and spreading American hate—it must change its ways in order to participate in American programs."

Why It Matters

The 30-day notice period represents a slight shift from the administration's stance last week. It stated that it was immediately revoking the school's ability to host foreign students, putting those visa holders at risk. The change came as Harvard hosts graduation ceremonies.

What To Know

The letter sent to Harvard's Director of Immigration Services, Maureen Martin, requested evidence that the school has complied with federal government policies so that it can avoid losing its large foreign student population.

U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs stepped in on Thursday and issued a preliminary injunction, anyway, seeking to stop the administration while the case plays out.

"I want to maintain the status quo," she told the two sides in her courtroom in Boston.

Burroughs has expressed concerns that potential Harvard students abroad have been unable to obtain new visas since last week. The federal government has reportedly paused new student visa interviews at embassies around the world as it seeks to tighten vetting procedures.

Thursday's hearing came as it was reported that the U.S. State Department was set to investigate all visas associated with the Ivy League school to address potential security concerns, according to Fox News.

While the court hearing was underway, students gathered on campus for graduation ceremonies, with Harvard's president, Alan Garber, receiving a minute-long round of applause from the crowd.

What People Are Saying

A Harvard spokesperson told Newsweek: "Today's court decision allows the University to continue enrolling international students and scholars while the case moves forward. Harvard will continue to take steps to protect the rights of our international students and scholars, members of our community who are vital to the University's academic mission and community—and whose presence here benefits our country immeasurably."

Dr. Abraham Verghese, in his Harvard commencement speech on Thursday: "In this institution's almost four-century existence, there has probably not been more attention focused on you than in these last few months. In coming to your campus, I feel very much like a medieval messenger who had to sneak through the encircling forces and slip into your besieged community."

President Donald Trump, on Wednesday: "Harvard's got to behave themselves. Harvard is treating our country with great disrespect. And all they're doing is getting in deeper and deeper and deeper."

What Happens Next

The DHS said in a press release that it was continuing to engage with Harvard "in good faith" and that it wanted to see the school comply with its requests.

Secretary of Education Linda McMahon suggested Wednesday that other schools could face similar actions.

Update 5/29/25, 11:57 a.m. ET: This headline and article were updated to reflect Thursday's injunction ruling.

Update 5/29/25, 12:39 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.