Judge temporarily blocks Trump's ban on foreign Harvard students entering US
A federal district court has temporarily blocked US President Donald Trump's proclamation barring entry into the US of foreign nationals seeking to study at Harvard University.
On Wednesday, Trump signed a proclamation to restrict the entry of prospective foreign students and researchers to engage in academic activities at Harvard, citing national security concerns.
The document also directs the US secretary of state to consider revoking existing visas for current foreign students at Harvard who meet the criteria of the proclamation.
In response, Harvard University filed an amended complaint on Thursday with the US district court for Massachusetts, where the school is located, seeking to put the proclamation on hold.
Harvard argues that Trump's proclamation is retaliation against Harvard exercising its First Amendment right to reject the administration's demands to control governance of the university. Harvard also says the proclamation violates the First Amendment, which guarantees the freedom of speech.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Harvard President Alan Garber said that international students and scholars make outstanding contributions. He went on to say, "We will celebrate them, support them, and defend their interests as we continue to assert our Constitutional rights."
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