US Court Extends Block On President Trump's Order Banning Foreign Students At Harvard

Washington, D.C, United States: A federal judge on Monday blocked US President Donald Trump administration’s move to ban foreign students from entering the country on Harvard University-sponsored F and J visas, reported The Harvard Crimson. The preliminary injunction was made halting the June 4 proclamation banning students from entering the country.

The federal judge, Allison D. Burroughs, issued a 44-page order that came just hours before the expiry of a previous temporary block imposed on the government’s proclamation. The current order hence extends the relief order granted by the court earlier for the students from the administration’s decision.

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The decision provides Harvard with an edge over the government’s order until the court makes a final verdict in connection with the case. The US president in May this year revoked Harvard University of its ability to enroll international students, surprising foreign students as well as the American public. Foreign students who are currently pursuing their studies at university were also pushed at the crossroads.

The judge pointed out that Trump’s attempts to justify his decision to ban foreign students on the basis of national security were a flimsy disguise for retaliation against Harvard amid the raging legal crossfire between the US president and the Varsity.

The court stated that the Proclamation quite obviously has no ‘legitimate grounding’ in its stated concerns, and it is ‘inexplicable by anything but animus.

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The order appears another edge for Harvard in its legal battle against the White House in less than a week. On Friday, the court delivered a separate preliminary injunction blocking the federal government’s May 22 order. The order had revoked Harvard’s authorisation to enroll foreign students.

The Trump administration has accused the university of facilitating illegal and violent activities on its campuses. The administration has been carrying out a massive crackdown on pro-Palestine protests at universities across the US, including Harvard, a major center of protest. The administration has also taken various measures, including cuts in Federal funding, totaling more than $2.6 billion. The university is currently pursuing a lawsuit accusing the administration of violating the constitution.