A district judge in the city of Boston, Allison Burroughs, announced her decision regarding an initiative proposed by the Trump administration, aimed at banning international students from studying in the US.
Judge Burroughs assessed this decision as an incorrect attempt by the Trump administration to control a prestigious academic institution and called it a threat to freedom of expression.
She emphasized that this case is directly related to the protection of speech and freedom of expression, and therefore decided that the administration's actions should be temporarily halted.
The conflict between Trump and Harvard
The federal government had previously threatened to stop funding universities, including Harvard, due to students' demonstrations in support of Palestine and programs dedicated to diversity, equality, and inclusivity.
Within this context, the US Department of Justice, Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Education, and the General Services Administration (GSA) formed a "Special Group Against Antisemitism".
The Trump administration decided to freeze $2.2 billion in federal funds allocated to Harvard University and to halt $60 million worth of contracts.
In response, Harvard appealed to the court, declaring the federal government's actions as contrary to law and managed to temporarily suspend these measures.
