Trump Suspends Visas for New Harvard International Students Amid Rising Tensions

 In a controversial move, former U.S. President Donald Trump has signed a proclamation temporarily suspending the issuance of student visas for new international students planning to study at Harvard University. The order affects F, M, and J visas—typically used by students and academic exchange visitors—and could potentially impact thousands of aspiring scholars around the world.

The directive doesn’t stop at incoming students. It also authorizes the U.S. Secretary of State to review and possibly revoke visas for current Harvard international students who meet certain undisclosed criteria laid out in the proclamation.

Harvard University, where international students account for roughly 27% of the student body, finds itself once again at the center of a heated immigration debate. This development comes only days after a federal court blocked a previous attempt by the Trump administration to impose restrictions on foreign student enrollment.

A spokesperson for the university condemned the action, calling it “yet another illegal and retaliatory step that violates Harvard’s First Amendment rights.” The university emphasized its ongoing commitment to protecting the rights and welfare of its international student community.

The Trump administration, however, defended the move as necessary for national security. According to the White House, the decision was fueled by concerns over Harvard’s alleged connections with foreign entities and claims that the university was fostering radical ideologies. Officials accused Harvard of failing to provide adequate information about international students and underreporting disciplinary issues. The administration also criticized the institution for what it described as insufficient action on antisemitism and an excessive focus on diversity and inclusion initiatives.

Notably, the proclamation does not apply to students attending other U.S. universities through the SEVP (Student and Exchange Visitor Program). It includes exemptions for individuals whose entry is deemed to be in the "national interest." The order is set to last six months, with a possible extension based on an assessment by the Attorney General and Secretary of Homeland Security within 90 days.

The text of the proclamation bluntly states that “Harvard’s conduct has rendered it an unsuitable destination for foreign students and researchers.”

The announcement sparked swift international backlash, particularly from China, which is the second-largest source of international students in the U.S. A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson criticized the move, labeling it as politically motivated interference that could damage long-standing educational partnerships.

The visa suspension follows an ongoing legal standoff between Harvard and the Trump administration. Recently, a federal judge ruled against a previous Department of Homeland Security effort to revoke Harvard’s SEVP certification, which would have prevented the university from enrolling international students altogether. That attempt was reportedly tied to Harvard’s refusal to hand over conduct records of foreign students requested by DHS.

Harvard alleges that these government actions are retaliatory and lack proper legal basis, arguing that they stem from the administration’s dissatisfaction with the university’s policies and ideological positions.

This isn’t the first time the Trump administration has targeted Harvard. The university has repeatedly clashed with the government over its admissions processes, hiring decisions, campus programming, and its approach to tackling diversity, antisemitism, and race-based considerations in academic policy. In fact, the U.S. Department of Education has warned that universities may lose federal funding if they are found to be inadequately protecting Jewish students or if they use race as a factor in institutional decisions.

Columbia University also found itself under similar scrutiny. Trump officials questioned Columbia’s accreditation status, alleging it failed to safeguard Jewish students adequately.

The situation with Harvard escalated after a letter sent by Trump officials on March 31 warned the university that its $9 billion in federal contracts and grants was under review. In response, Harvard filed a lawsuit after $2.2 billion in federal funding was frozen. A further $450 million in grants was later cut, and the administration even threatened to revoke Harvard’s tax-exempt status.

Adding to the financial pressure, the White House recently directed all federal agencies to terminate their remaining contracts with Harvard, worth an estimated $100 million.

This proclamation adds yet another layer to the growing tension between elite academic institutions and the federal government over issues such as immigration, free speech, and ideological freedom. As legal challenges loom and international outrage grows, Harvard’s ability to support its global community and maintain its academic standing may face unprecedented trials in the months ahead.

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