A federal judge has temporarily blocked an executive order from President Donald Trump that would have barred Harvard University from enrolling international students.

Judge Allison Burroughs issued a restraining order preventing the implementation of the policy, citing the potential for “immediate and irreparable injury” to the university.

The ruling came just hours after Harvard filed an amended lawsuit on Thursday, accusing the Trump administration of retaliating against the institution for exercising its First Amendment rights.

The Trump administration argued that the ban, which was to last six months, was necessary for national security and accused Harvard of failing to address antisemitism on campus.

The proclamation also claimed the university had “extensive entanglements” with foreign nations and had infringed on the civil rights of students and faculty.

In response to the order, Harvard President, Alan Garber said the university was preparing contingency plans to support international students who might be affected.

The legal challenge is the latest development in a broader conflict between Harvard and the federal government.

In May, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem revoked the certification that allows Harvard to host international students, a decision that had also been blocked by the courts.

For the 2024-2025 school year, Harvard enrolled nearly 7,000 foreign students, who made up 27 per cent of its population.