A U.S. federal judge has temporarily blocked the Trump administration from enforcing a ban that would prevent Harvard University from admitting international students.
Judge Allison Burroughs, based in Massachusetts, issued the restraining order, stating that Harvard—the oldest university in the United States—would suffer “immediate and irreparable injury” if the ban were implemented.
The ruling follows a lawsuit filed by Harvard on Thursday, accusing former President Donald Trump of launching a “government vendetta” aimed at silencing free speech on campus.
Trump defended the policy on national security grounds and criticized Harvard for allegedly failing to combat antisemitism among its student body.
Judge Burroughs’ order came just hours after Harvard amended an ongoing lawsuit against the federal government, arguing that the president’s actions were “part of a concerted and escalating campaign of retaliation” against the university for exercising its First Amendment rights.
Harvard President Alan Garber said in a statement that the university is preparing contingency plans for international students who may be unable to travel to campus.