A federal judge in Boston has ordered the reversal of over $2.6 billion in federal funding cuts to Harvard University.

The ruling, issued Wednesday, marks a significant victory for Harvard in its legal battle with the Trump administration.

Judge Allison Burroughs found the cuts were illegal retaliation for Harvard’s refusal to comply with White House demands on governance and policies.

The administration had linked the funding freezes to antisemitism issues on campus, but the judge called this a smokescreen.

The White House said the administration would appeal the decision, making it unlikely that researchers receive funding any time soon.

Harvard Medical School student Alexi Stavropoulos said the judge's decision was "a good start," even if the Trump administration decides to appeal.

"A lot of that money is being used for life saving research to advance research in Alzheimer's, cancer. It's being put to good causes and it's not like the advances that are being made from Harvard are insular, they're to help the general public," said Stavropoulos.

Freshman student Siya Patel said she was happy that the judicial system is "sticking up for us."

Patel, a bioengineering major student with a minor in computer science, also said she felt relieved, hoping the reversal would help her accomplish her research goals in creating custom stem cell therapies for heart disease.

"So specifically for me, this funding not being cut is funding that can come towards my project, come towards my goals. And hopefully in the future, this is a goal that can become realized and enter the market," said Patel.

AP video by Rodrique Ngowi