US judge puts temporary block on Trump’s entry ban for Harvard international students

BOSTON — A federal judge in Boston temporarily blocks US President Donald Trump from barring US entry of foreign nationals seeking to study or participate in exchange programs at Harvard University.

Under a two-page temporary restraining order granted to Harvard, US District Judge Allison Burroughs enjoins Trump’s proclamation from taking effect pending further litigation of the matter amid an escalating dispute between the Ivy League school and Republican president.

The judge rules that Trump’s directive prohibiting foreign nationals from entering the United States to study at Harvard for the next six months would cause “immediate and irreparable injury” before the courts have a chance to review the case.

Burroughs last month had blocked Trump from implementing a separate order prohibiting Harvard from enrolling international students, who make up more than a quarter of its student body. Harvard on Thursday amended its lawsuit to challenge the new directive, claiming Trump is violating Burroughs’ decision.

Burroughs’ order also continues a separate temporary restraining order she issued on May 23 against the administration’s restriction on international student enrollment at Harvard.