Washington.- Harvard University said Wednesday that the suspension of visas for new foreign students enrolled at the school ordered Wednesday by United States President Donald Trump is illegal and violates the university’s rights.

«This is yet another illegal retaliatory step taken by the Administration in violation of Harvard’s First Amendment rights,» the university said in a statement.

The proclamation signed by Trump suspends new visas granted to Harvard students seeking to participate in the university’s courses or exchange programs for six months, with the possibility of an extension, and orders the state secretary to consider revoking visas already granted to students.

The White House said in a statement that this decision responds to the need to «safeguard national security» and asserted that Harvard has «demonstrated a history of troubling foreign ties and radicalism.»

The Republican administration had previously attempted to ban Harvard from admitting international students, but the restriction was blocked by a federal judge on May 29.

«The May 29 court decision allows the university to continue enrolling international students and scholars while the case moves forward. Harvard will continue to take steps to protect the rights of our international students and scholars, members of our community who are vital to the University’s academic mission and community – and whose presence here benefits our country immeasurably,» Harvard added in its statement.

The US government – which has also frozen subsidies to the prestigious university – has presented its actions against Harvard as a fight for civil rights, accusing the university of having a progressive bias.

It accuses it of continuing to apply racial considerations in its admissions policies, and tolerating anti-Semitic behavior on campus. Harvard claims it is suffering unfair retaliation and asserts that it will not allow the president to impose conditions on how the prestigious institution operates.