Trump demands names and countries of Harvard's international students

In the United States, President Donald Trump recently demanded a list of names and countries of all international students enrolled at Harvard University. This call to action arose from concerns regarding the fact that a significant percentage of Harvard's student population is comprised of international students, many of whom come from countries that do not financially contribute to their education. Trump's statement highlighted that almost 31% of Harvard's student body is international. He suggested that it was reasonable to request this information due to the financial support the federal government provides to Harvard, which he claimed amounted to billions of dollars. Trump also indicated that he believed some of these foreign students might belong to nations that are antagonistic toward the United States, thereby implying a national security concern regarding their status in the country. In response to Trump's demand, Harvard University maintained that it was complying with reporting requirements but was encountering challenges amid a recently filed lawsuit against the federal government, alleging that the administration's actions violated the First Amendment and other legal principles. A federal judge had previously intervened, temporarily blocking the government's attempt to cancel Harvard's ability to enroll international students, asserting that such a move would cause immediate and irreparable harm. Amid President Trump's ongoing rhetoric, the contentious relationship between the Trump administration and Harvard continued to escalate, with Trump's administration threatening to redirect federal funding away from the university. This situation intensified as universities in Hong Kong began extending offers to affected Harvard students, promising scholarships and accommodations, highlighting the ramifications Trump's policies could have on international educational cooperation and student mobility. As the case unfolds in court, the implications for Harvard and its international student community remain uncertain.