A US federal judge has temporarily blocked a Trump administration rule imposing stricter limits on foreign student and journalist visas, providing relief to international students, including many from India. The judge warned the policy could cause “catastrophic” damage to the US economy and higher-education system. The preliminary injunction halts implementation while the case is heard in court.

Washington: A US federal judge has temporarily blocked a new Trump administration rule that would impose stricter limits on how long foreign students and journalists can study or work in America.

The decision by the Massachusetts district judge on Monday will bring some relief to international students, including many from India, and has come one day before it was to come into effect.

The judge ruled that the new policy would probably cause “catastrophic” damage to the US economy and higher-education system, rejecting the government’s claims that it was needed to protect the country.

Judge grants nationwide relief

Judge F Dennis Saylor IV also rejected the government contention that the relief being granted be limited to the plaintiffs and not the entire country.