A federal judge has temporarily blocked an executive order from former President Donald Trump that sought to bar Harvard University from enrolling international students.
U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs issued a restraining order on Thursday, citing the risk of “immediate and irreparable injury” to the university if the policy were enforced.
The decision came just hours after Harvard filed an amended lawsuit, accusing the Trump administration of retaliating against the institution for exercising its First Amendment rights.
The Trump administration had defended the six-month ban as a national security measure, alleging that Harvard had failed to address antisemitism on campus and citing “extensive entanglements” with foreign governments. The order also accused the university of violating the civil rights of students and faculty.
Harvard President Alan Garber said the university was developing contingency plans to support international students potentially affected by the directive.
The legal battle marks the latest chapter in an ongoing conflict between Harvard and the federal government over academic freedom and immigration policy.
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