Federal Judge Blocks Trump Administration on Harvard Foreign Student Ban

A federal judge in Boston has halted the Trump administration's plan to stop foreign nationals from entering the U.S. to study at Harvard University, considering it an infringement on constitutional rights. U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs issued an injunction, continuing a previous order that counteracted a presidential proclamation citing national security threats.

The injunction extends an earlier temporary block on actions that aimed to expel international students from Harvard, part of an ongoing conflict between President Donald Trump and the renowned Ivy League institution. The order emphasized the importance of safeguarding freedoms integral to democracy, such as thought, expression, and speech, which the judge asserted were under threat.

The controversy involves allegations from the Trump administration that Harvard's environment fosters antisemitism and improperly collaborates with foreign entities. Meanwhile, Harvard accuses the administration of retaliating due to the university's stance on governance and curricular independence, leading to ongoing legal battles to restore funding and protect international students' access.

(With inputs from agencies.)