A recent order from the White House has cast uncertainty over the futures of thousands of international students at Harvard University. This decision follows a judge’s ruling that blocked the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from banning these students, highlighting the ongoing legal battles between Harvard and the Trump administration.
The proclamation from President Trump claims that Harvard has extensive ties with foreign nations and has not adequately addressed civil rights issues for its students and staff. He stated that it is necessary to restrict entry for foreign nationals who aim to study at Harvard. This order also suspends visas for international students involved in exchange programs and suggests that the Secretary of State consider revoking current visas for students already studying at the university.
The White House criticized Harvard for not providing enough information about foreign students’ activities, citing a lack of data on just three students. In response, Harvard condemned the order as an illegal retaliation against the university, claiming it violates the First Amendment rights of its community.
Harvard, known as the wealthiest university in the world, has been in a legal struggle with the Trump administration after the government froze billions in federal funding. The administration has accused the university of not adequately addressing antisemitism on campus, particularly amid protests related to the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Just last month, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem revoked Harvard’s certification necessary for enrolling foreign students, but this was quickly halted by a federal judge. Another judge upheld this decision, allowing international students to continue their studies while the legal disputes unfold.
However, the latest proclamation has once again put the status of nearly 7,000 international students at Harvard in jeopardy. These students make up about 27% of the university’s total enrollment for the 2024-2025 academic year. The situation is further complicated by recent comments from Trump, who expressed intentions to revoke visas for Chinese students, a move that has raised concerns among the student body.
Earlier on the same day as the proclamation, the White House also threatened to revoke Columbia University’s accreditation over alleged violations of Jewish students’ civil rights. This pattern of scrutiny on universities reflects a broader crackdown by the Trump administration on higher education institutions, particularly those accused of not addressing antisemitism adequately.
As the legal battles continue, many international students at Harvard and across the country are left anxious about their academic futures.