Harvard University filed a federal lawsuit Thursday challenging President Donald Trump’s proclamation barring international students from entering the US to attend Harvard.

The university alleges that the action is a retaliatory attempt to bypass a prior court decision that prohibited the Department of Homeland Security from restricting international enrollment, according to Reuters.

“The President’s actions are not to protect the interests of the United States, but to pursue a government vendetta against Harvard,” the filing states.

Harvard President Alan M. Garber defined the order as "another illegal step" targeting the university's global ties. He also stated that Harvard is developing contingency preparations to ensure that international students may continue their academic work, Reuters reported.