Trump bans international students from attending Harvard University
- The Trump administration enacted a prohibition on foreign students entering the U.S. to study at Harvard University, citing national security concerns.
- Harvard University criticized this decision, framing it as an unlawful retaliation against the institution's admission policies.
- The ongoing conflict between the Trump administration and Harvard highlights the impact of national security rhetoric on international education in the U.S.
In early June 2025, President Donald Trump took significant steps to block the entry of nearly all international students into the United States specifically for studies at Harvard University. This action stemmed from a long-standing feud between the Trump administration and Harvard regarding the university's handling of foreign student admission and ties to alleged misconduct and security issues. Trump's proclamation aimed to suspend the entry of new students under the F, M, or J visas unless deemed in the national interest, and it also authorized the Secretary of State to consider revoking current students' visas. The administration's tensions with Harvard increased after accusations that the university had failed to adequately report known illegal activities involving its foreign students, thereby compromising national security. Harvard officials pushed back, stating such orders were retaliatory measures that infringed upon the university's First Amendment rights. The situation escalated further as Harvard became a focal point for Trump’s broader immigration and national security policies. Previously, the Department of Homeland Security took actions against Harvard, including revoking the university’s certification for its international student and exchange visitor programs. Federal judges obstructed some of these measures, asserting them unconstitutional. Nevertheless, Trump’s administration continued to implement policies that undermined Harvard’s ability to enroll international students, leveraging national security as the justification. As a prestigious institution with nearly 27% of its student body comprised of international students, the adverse effects of these policies potentially extend beyond Harvard to impact the broader landscape of higher education in the U.S. The restrictions may not only harm the university's diverse academic environment but also threaten its financial stability due to reliance on foreign tuition. As the situation develops, ongoing legal battles and public pushback from the university community signal that the conflict over international student admission at Harvard is far from resolved.