Chinese students at Harvard were seeking legal advice on staying in the United States after U.S. President Donald Trump's administration blocked the famed university from enrolling foreign students, a move slammed by the government in Beijing.

Harvard sued and asked for a restraining order less than 24 hours after the Trump administration had said it would block current and future international students from attending the university.

Harvard's longstanding ties to China have come under intense scrutiny, as the Trump administration accuses the university of enabling Beijing's influence and revokes its ability to enroll foreign students.

The Trump administration levels accusations that Harvard University's campus is plagued by Beijing-backed influence operations.

Universities across the country have canceled and withdrawn support for affinity graduations due to threats from President Donald Trump if they do not end diversity, equity, and inclusion practices.

The university has more than 20,000 international students enrolled at its campuses worldwide and they comprise 16 percent of the undergraduate student body.

A federal judge on Friday blocked the Trump administration’s attempt to revoke Harvard University’s ability to host foreign students. The

International Harvard students say they are experiencing “pure panic” amid the Trump administration’s move to bar foreign enrollment, as students from around the world told CNN they are coming to grips with the possibility of revoked visas,

As the US government's crackdown on Harvard University intensifies, links to China and Iran have emerged, raising national security concerns in the United States.

Beyond the shock for students, President Trump’s moves against higher education are being seen in China as a blow to one of the last admirable American institutions.