On the evening of June 6 (local time), the US Department of State officially issued a directive to consulates around the world to resume processing visa applications for students planning to study at Harvard University.
The new directive states that consular departments must continue to process visa applications of students and participants in the academic exchange program at Harvard.
The new decision reverses the previous request of the Trump administration forcing Harvard to reject foreigners planning to start a study program or exchange at the school to limit international students entering the US.
The State Department's decision to reverse comes after a federal court blocked Trump's efforts to tighten visas for foreign students studying at Harvard.
The court also rejected a plan put forward by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on May 22, aiming to remove Harvard from the student-led and exchange-traded vehicle (SEVP) certification program.
Previously, on June 4, President Trump suspended the entry of foreign students or exchange students planning to attend Harvard, unless his administration determined that such entry serves national interests.
The decree also directs Secretary of State Marco Rubio to consider revoking visas for students in the US. The decree will expire after 6 months but is likely to be extended.
According to the decree, Harvard University was accused of no longer being a reliable unit in managing student programs and international exchanges.
On June 5, Harvard filed a lawsuit against President Donald Trump, arguing that the new decree was a violation of the law.
