President Donald Trump has taken a significant step in his ongoing conflict with Harvard University by signing a proclamation that targets student visas for foreign students at the prestigious Ivy League school. This announcement was made on Wednesday and marks a continuation of the administration’s scrutiny of Harvard’s policies and practices regarding foreign students.
The proclamation instructs the State Department to consider revoking existing academic or exchange visas for current Harvard students who meet specific criteria. Trump emphasized that entering the U.S. for education is a privilege granted by the government, not a right, and he accused Harvard of failing to comply with federal laws. He stated, "Harvard University has failed in this respect, among many others."
This move specifically affects students enrolled at Harvard and does not extend to foreign nationals attending other universities under the Student Exchange Visa Program. Additionally, there are exemptions for those whose entry is considered in the national interest.
The administration’s actions come amid a backdrop of heightened scrutiny of Harvard’s connections with foreign entities, particularly China. The State Department has indicated it will begin reviewing all visa holders associated with Harvard, not just those on student visas, to identify any potential security risks or abuses of the visa system.
Trump’s proclamation highlighted concerns about Harvard’s history with foreign ties and radicalism. It pointed out that the university had not provided adequate information to the Department of Homeland Security about foreign students involved in illegal activities. Harvard reportedly received over $150 million from China and has been accused of hosting members of the Chinese Communist Party and collaborating on research that could benefit China’s military.
In addition to these issues, the Trump administration has criticized Harvard for its handling of antisemitism on campus and for what they describe as a rise in crime without proper disciplinary measures. Harvard officials have countered that these actions represent retaliation from the Trump administration, which they claim is attempting to undermine the university’s ability to enroll international students and to open investigations into alleged discrimination within its hiring practices.
The situation continues to develop, with Harvard having already filed lawsuits against the Trump administration in response to these policies. As the administration moves forward with its crackdown, many are watching closely to see how it will impact international students and the university’s reputation.