Harvard Condemns Trump's 'Unlawful' Ban On Foreign Students: 'Threatens Serious Harm...'
Harvard University vs Trump Controversy: Harvard, the wealthiest university in the US with an endowment of $53.2 billion, called Trump's ban on foreign students "unlawful"
Harvard University vs Trump Controversy: Harvard University on Thursday condemned the Trump administration’s ban on its ability to enroll foreign students, deeming the action “unlawful" amid a dramatic escalation of the fight between the US president and the prestigious university over claims of anti-Semitism and coordinating with China.
The university, located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, said the move would hurt the campus and the country, after it rejected Donald Trump’s demand to submit to oversight on admissions and hiring processes.
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“We are fully committed to maintaining Harvard’s ability to host our international students and scholars," Harvard said in a statement, adding that it was working to offer students guidance and support. “This retaliatory action threatens serious harm to the Harvard community and our country, and undermines Harvard’s academic and research mission," it added.
Also See: Why Foreign Students Are Now Barred And What’s Behind The Feud?
How Harvard Alumni Reacted To Trump’s Move?
Leaders of the Harvard chapter of the American Association of University Professors called the move “the latest in a string of nakedly authoritarian and retaliatory moves against America’s oldest institution of higher education."
“The Trump administration is unlawfully seeking to destroy higher education in the United States. It now demands that we sacrifice our international students in the process. Universities cannot acquiesce to such extortion," it said.
“It is impossible to imagine Harvard without our amazing international students. They are a huge benefit to everyone here, to innovation and the United States more broadly," said Harvard economics professor and former Obama administration official Jason Furman. “I hope this is stopped quickly before the damage gets any worse."
Karl Molden, an international student from Austria, said he had applied to study at Oxford in Britain because he feared such measures. “It’s definitely going to change the perception of… students who (might) consider studying there — the US is getting less of an attractive spot for higher education," he said.
Fourth-year US student Alice Goyer told AFP “no one knows" what the development would mean for international students already enrolled. “We just got the news, so I’ve been getting texts from a lot of international friends, and I think everyone’s just — no one knows. Everyone’s panicking a bit," she said.
ALSO READ: How Trump Administration’s Decision Will Affect Harvard’s International Students?
How Will The Move Impact Harvard?
Harvard, the wealthiest university in the US with an endowment of $53.2 billion as of 2024, has become a key target of the Trump administration after it refused to accept ederal oversight of its admissions, hiring, and political stance, drawing Trump’s ire. In response, the administration froze $2.2 billion in federal funding to the university last month, with an additional $450 million in cuts announced on Tuesday.
In the 2024-2025 academic year, there were 6,793 international students enrolled at Harvard University, making up roughly 27% of its total enrollment. The Trump administration’s decision can deal a huge financial blow to the university, which charges tens and thousands of dollars a year in tuition.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the drastic measure, citing Harvard’s refusal to comply with requests for student records. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, in a sharply worded letter, accused Harvard of “perpetuating an unsafe campus environment that is hostile to Jewish students, promotes pro-Hamas sympathies and employs racist diversity, equity and inclusion’ policies.'"
“It is a privilege, not a right, for universities to enroll foreign students and benefit from their higher tuition payments to help pad their multibillion-dollar endowments. Harvard had plenty of opportunity to do the right thing. It refused. They have lost their Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification as a result of their failure to adhere to the law," she added.
The move is part of a broader federal crackdown on US universities, which the administration says is aimed at addressing antisemitism and reducing diversity programmes.
Also See: What Happens To The 788 Indian Students Currently Enrolled At Harvard University?
Is This Action Legal?
The latest crackdown on Harvard is expected to draw a very strong legal challenge. Earlier on Thursday, US District Judge Jeffrey White of the federal district court in San Francisco had blocked the Trump administration from terminating the legal status allowing foreign students to study at colleges and universities nationwide, CNN reported.
However, this ruling is limited to individual cases and does not extend to the university level. It remains to be seen whether the Trump administration’s recent action against Harvard will face a legal challenge.
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