The ruling came after Harvard filed a lawsuit - the latest escalation of a dispute between the White House and one of America's most prestigious institutions. The university said the administration's decision on Thursday was a "blatant violation" of the law and free speech rights.

The Trump administration says Harvard has not done enough to fight antisemitism and change its hiring and admissions practices – allegations that the university has strongly denied. US District Judge Allison Burroughs issued a temporary restraining order in a short ruling issued on Friday. The order pauses a move that the Department of Homeland Security made on Thursday to revoke Harvard's access to the Student and Exchange Visitor Program - a government database that manages foreign students. There are around 6,800 international students at Harvard, who make up more than 27% of its enrolments this year.

"With the stroke of a pen, the government has sought to erase a quarter of Harvard's student body, international students who contribute significantly to the University and its mission," Harvard argued in the lawsuit. "We condemn this unlawful and unwarranted action," Harvard President Alan Garber said in a letter. (BBC)