Divya Delhi : International students intending to study or participate in exchange programs at Harvard University will be banned for six months by Donald Trump. The US president declared it "detrimental" to US interests to allow foreign students at the school, citing "national security" concerns. Harvard requested a court stay of the "retaliatory" order within hours. Trump's announcement escalates a legal spat with Harvard, one of the top US colleges, after Harvard resisted White House demands in April. The order follows last week's verdict that barred DHS from prohibiting international students at Harvard. Harvard's "extensive entanglements" with foreign governments and "flout the civil rights of its students and faculty" were criticized by Trump. "Considering these facts, I have determined that it is necessary to restrict the entry of foreign nationals who seek to enter the United States solely or principally to participate in a course of study at Harvard University," he stated. The directive also suspends visas for international students pursuing exchange programs and directs the secretary of state to consider revoking university students' visas.