The temporary restraining order will remain in effect until a hearing between the parties scheduled for May 27.

On Friday, Allison D. Burroughs, a federal judge in the Boston district, temporarily blocked U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to halt the enrollment of foreign students at Harvard University.

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Her order comes in response to a motion filed by Harvard requesting a temporary halt to the government’s revocation of its permit to host international students—who make up a quarter of its student body. Harvard has also filed a new lawsuit against the Trump administration.

“Harvard has demonstrated that, unless its request for a temporary restraining order [on Trump’s decision] is granted, it will suffer immediate and irreparable harm,” Judge Burroughs stated, setting a hearing between the parties on May 27 at 9:30 a.m. local time. The temporary restraining order will take effect immediately and is expected to remain in place until the hearing.

On Thursday, the U.S. government banned further enrollment of foreign students at Harvard, marking a serious escalation in the months-long conflict between Washington and the university.

It also ordered currently enrolled international students to transfer to other universities or risk losing their immigration status. The decision was communicated in a letter signed by Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, stating that Harvard’s Program for Foreign Students and Visitors had been revoked.

On Friday, Harvard responded with a lawsuit asserting that the certification to host foreign students is “essential” for them to remain legally in the country. It also noted that the revocation of this permit has already “disrupted countless academic programs, research laboratories, clinics, and courses.”

In April, Harvard sued the Trump administration in an attempt to recover US$2.6 billion in federal funding that had been frozen due to alleged antisemitic conduct.

Harvard is one of the universities whose funding has come under threat based on reports from the “Federal Task Force to Combat Antisemitism,” for implementing affirmative action policies or for failing to support what the Republican president calls “diversity of ideas.”

In addition to sparking domestic protests, Trump’s crackdown on universities has drawn international criticism. On Friday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning announced that her country condemns the attacks on Harvard University.

“What the United States intends to do will undoubtedly damage its own image and reputation in the world… China will firmly protect the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese students and scholars abroad,” she said.

teleSUR/ JF

Source: EFE

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