Boston, United States (Enmaeya News) - President Donald Trump on Wednesday suspended the entry of foreign nationals planning to study or join exchange programs at Harvard University, citing national security concerns. The ban, which begins with an initial six-month period, could be extended.
Trump cited national security concerns as the reason for the suspension, saying international students could pose risks. The proclamation also allows the U.S. State Department to consider canceling the visas of current Harvard students who meet certain criteria.
Harvard strongly criticized the move, calling it “another illegal retaliatory step” that violates the university’s First Amendment rights. The university said it will continue to support its international students.
This action comes a week after a federal judge in Boston said she would block the government from stopping Harvard from enrolling international students. Foreign students make up about 25% of Harvard’s student body.
The Trump administration has taken several actions against Harvard, including freezing billions of dollars in grants and proposing to end the university’s tax-exempt status. Harvard says these actions are punishment for refusing government attempts to control the school’s leadership, curriculum, and the views of faculty and students.
The situation escalated after Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced on May 22 that the department would immediately revoke Harvard’s certification to enroll international students. This certification, called the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), is required for universities that host foreign students.
Soon after, U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs temporarily blocked that decision. Just before a hearing last week, the government said it would change its approach and challenge Harvard’s certification through a longer administrative process instead.
The Department of Homeland Security also claimed that Harvard has seen a “drastic rise in crime” in recent years and failed to discipline certain types of student misconduct. It also accused the university of not providing enough information about foreign students who might be involved in illegal or dangerous activities.
