In a legal setback for US President Donald Trump, Harvard University has secured a temporary reprieve from a court against a presidential executive order that banned new foreign student admissions.
On Thursday, US District Judge Allison Burroughs ruled that the Trump administration cannot enforce the visa ban targeting Harvard’s incoming international students. The judge’s decision came after Harvard amended a May 23 lawsuit against a Department of Homeland Security directive that sought to block the university from enrolling foreign students—an attempt Burroughs had already previously blocked.
The judge stated that Harvard would suffer “immediate and irreparable injury” if the executive order were implemented. A further hearing in the case has been scheduled for June 16.
On Wednesday, Harvard University issued a strong statement calling the visa ban “retaliatory,” vowing to stand by its international student community.
“This is yet another illegal retaliatory step taken by the Administration in violation of Harvard’s First Amendment rights. Harvard will continue to protect its international students,” said a Harvard spokesman.
Ongoing Conflict Between Harvard and the Trump Administration
The legal fight is the latest in a long-running feud between Harvard University and the Trump administration. The conflict began when Harvard refused to comply with a number of federal demands, sparking retaliation from Washington.
Trump has previously threatened to revoke Harvard’s tax-exempt status and withheld $450 million in grant money after freezing over $2.2 billion in funding. Additionally, the administration cancelled federal contracts held by the university.
Tensions escalated further when the Department of Homeland Security accused Harvard of not providing requested records about misconduct involving foreign students. The department then banned Harvard from admitting foreign students, an order Judge Burroughs has now blocked.