A federal judge in Massachusetts has issued an order to stop the implementation of a proclamation that blocks visas for foreign students and professionals seeking to attend Harvard University.
This decision marks another legal victory for Harvard against the administration of President Donald Trump. Judge Allison Burroughs issued the order shortly after the university's lawyers challenged Trump's proclamation in court.
The judge stated that she did not wait for the Trump administration to respond to Harvard's legal action because the university would otherwise "suffer immediate and irreparable harm before there is an opportunity to hear from all parties." Harvard had argued that the visa ban would cause "immediate and irreparable" damage to the institution.
Harvard's lawyers filed a legal motion to amend a lawsuit previously filed in court after the Trump administration canceled the certification of Harvard's Student and Exchange Visitor Program on May 23. Burroughs ruled in favor of the university in that case last week, blocking the decision, to which Trump responded with his order "Improving national security by addressing risks at Harvard University."
The university also requested a preliminary order to keep the Visitor Program in effect until the lawsuit is resolved, which the judge granted, giving them until June 20. Harvard further argued in its lawsuit against the Trump administration that the Wednesday action violated the First Amendment, the federal Administrative Procedure Act, and long-standing immigration laws.
The White House explained in a statement that the Wednesday proclamation responded to the need to "safeguard national security" and assured that Harvard has "demonstrated a history of worrying foreign ties and radicalism." The Wednesday action adds to many others that Trump has taken against Harvard, which he accuses of antisemitism.
Trump has complained that the university has not given the government access to the files of foreign students.