Harvard University Condemns Trump Administration's Visa Ban on International Students and Researchers. The White House cites national security concerns, prompting Harvard to denounce the action as an illegal violation of First Amendment rights. The ban affects F, M, and J visas, impacting new student entries and potentially revoking existing visas. Harvard officials vow to protect their international students
Trump Administration Bars Harvard International Students: National Security Concerns Spark Controversy. President Trump's executive order suspends entry of new Harvard students and researchers on F, M, and J visas, raising First Amendment concerns and sparking outrage. The White House cites national security risks and alleges insufficient cooperation from the university
Trump administration blocks Harvard University's international students and researchers, revoking F, M, and J visas. The White House cites national security concerns and alleges foreign adversary exploitation of US higher education, prompting the suspension of new student and researcher entry. Harvard vows to protect its students' rights, calling the action illegal retaliation
The president has also ordered Secretary of State Marco Rubio to “consider revoking existing F, M, or J visas” for existing Harvard students.
The move does not impact international students attending other U.S. universities and will also not apply to Harvard students “whose entry is deemed in the national interest.”
The White House’s announcement outlined multiple grievances with the university, including allegations of foreign adversaries taking advantage of “easy access to American higher education” and Harvard’s refusal to share disciplinary records for foreign students.
The announcement said its stated issues have “compelled the Federal government to conclude that Harvard University is no longer a trustworthy steward of international student and exchange visitor programs.”
In a statement issued to multiple outlets, Harvard University spokesperson Jason Newton said: “This is yet another illegal retaliatory step taken by the Administration in violation of Harvard’s First Amendment rights…Harvard will continue to protect its international students.”
In a post on X, Attorney General Pam Bondi wrote: “Admission to the United States to study at an ‘elite’ American university is a privilege, not a right. This Department of Justice will vigorously defend the President’s proclamation suspending the entry of new foreign students at Harvard University based on national security concerns.”
6,793. That is the total number of international students enrolled at Harvard in the 2024-25 academic year, according to the university. This makes up around 27% of the university’s student population.
Wednesday’s order is his latest escalation in an ongoing feud between the Trump administration and Harvard. Last month, the Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced she was revoking Harvard’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification, preventing it from enrolling international students. While announcing the move, DHS said existing Harvard students needed to transfer to another school or lose their legal status. Noem also gave Harvard a 72-hour deadline to comply with a list of demands, including sharing all international students’ disciplinary records along with audio or video footage of any illegal, dangerous or violent activity by any of them enrolled at the university in the last five years. This move, however, was blocked by a federal judge after the university filed a suit accusing the Trump administration of violating its First Amendment rights.
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