Breaking News: Federal Judge Blocks Trump’s Proclamation Banning Foreign Students from Harvard University

In a stunning turn of events, a federal judge has temporarily blocked a proclamation by President Donald Trump that banned foreign students from entering the United States to attend Harvard University. The move is a significant blow to the Trump administration’s efforts to restrict the flow of international students to the prestigious institution.

Background: Trump’s Proclamation Sparks Outrage

On Wednesday, Trump issued a proclamation that would have effectively barred thousands of foreign students from attending Harvard University, citing national security concerns. The move was widely seen as a retaliatory measure against the university, which has been a vocal critic of the administration’s policies.

Harvard Fights Back: A Legal Challenge

In response to the proclamation, Harvard University filed a legal challenge, asking a judge to block the order and calling it an illegal attempt to punish the university for its rejection of White House demands. The university argued that the proclamation would cause "immediate and irreparable injury" to its students, faculty, and research programs.

Judge Allison Burroughs Weighs In

U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs in Boston issued a temporary restraining order against Trump’s proclamation, saying that Harvard had demonstrated it would suffer "immediate and irreparable injury" if the order were to take effect. The judge also extended a previous temporary hold on the administration’s attempt to end Harvard’s enrollment of international students.

The Impact: Thousands of Students Affected

If Trump’s measure were to survive this court challenge, it would block thousands of students who are scheduled to come to Harvard’s campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts, for the summer and fall terms. The university has already begun making contingency plans to ensure that students and visiting scholars can continue their work, despite the uncertainty surrounding their visas.

Harvard President Alan Garber Speaks Out

In a message to the campus and alumni, Harvard President Alan Garber emphasized the importance of the university’s global community. "Each of us is part of a truly global university community," he said. "We know that the benefits of bringing talented people together from around the world are unique and irreplaceable."

The Broader Implications: A Crackdown on Foreign Students

Rising international enrollment has made Harvard and other elite colleges uniquely vulnerable to Trump’s crackdown on foreign students. Republicans have been seeking to force overhauls of the nation’s top colleges, which they see as hotbeds of "woke" and antisemitic viewpoints. However, Garber has stated that the university will not stray from its "core, legally-protected principles," even in the face of federal ultimatums.

The Future of Harvard’s Research and Global Standing

The Trump administration’s efforts to restrict foreign students could have far-reaching consequences for Harvard’s research and global standing. Cutting off students and visiting scholars could hamstring the university’s research programs, which rely heavily on international collaboration and talent.

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Content originally published by globalnews.ca