Federal judge blocks Trump administration decision to bar foreign student enrollment at Harvard

WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal judge has blocked a Trump administration decision to revoke Harvard University’s ability to enroll international students.

The temporary restraining order stops the government from pulling Harvard’s certification in the Student and Exchange Visitor Program, which allows the school to host international students with visas to study in the U.S.

Harvard filed the lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Massachusetts earlier Friday.

Harvard, calling it unconstitutional as a violation of the First Amendment, and asserts the Trump administration action is retaliation for defying White House political demands. Harvard says the “immediate and devastating effect” would impact more than 7,000 visa holding students from nations around the world.