A group of 18 leading research universities including Princeton and MIT asked a federal judge for permission to file legal arguments in support of Harvard in its showdown with the Trump

This week, a federal judge sided with Harvard in one of its two lawsuits, blocking an order by President Trump to prevent international students from enrolling.

A federal judge has blocked U.S. President Donald Trump's proclamation restricting new internation students to Harvard University. The ruling prevents enforcement while the case proceeds, and also extends protection for Harvard's Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification.