Trump Suspends Visas for Foreign Students at Harvard University
Visa Suspension for International Students
On Wednesday, President Donald Trump announced a suspension of visas for foreign students wishing to study or engage in exchange programs at Harvard University.
This suspension is set to last for an initial period of six months, with the possibility of extension, as reported by various news outlets.
Harvard University has labeled this action as 'illegal' and stated on Thursday that it has revised a previous lawsuit to contest the latest proclamation from the Trump administration.
The proclamation, signed by Trump, halts the entry of new international students on F, M, or J visas, which are essential for studying or participating in exchange programs in the United States.
Additionally, Trump instructed the Secretary of State to consider revoking such visas for current Harvard students who fall under the proclamation's criteria. The White House has indicated that the university has a history of concerning foreign connections and radicalism.
White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson claimed that Harvard has become a center for anti-American, anti-Semitic, and pro-terrorist sentiments.
Jackson stated, 'Harvard's actions have compromised the integrity of the US student and exchange visitor visa system and pose a risk to national security.' She emphasized that the university must face the repercussions of its actions.
In response, Alan M Garber, Harvard's president, criticized the targeting of the institution for its international student enrollment and collaboration with global educational entities as another illegal measure by the administration against Harvard.
Garber mentioned that the university had recently secured a restraining order against Trump, preventing the revocation of its ability to enroll or retain international students, and he argued that the latest proclamation bypassed this order.
'We have amended our lawsuit and will request the court to immediately stop the enforcement of the proclamation,' he stated in a letter, expressing hope for a swift court response.
Garber referred to a lawsuit against the US Department of Homeland Security's decision to revoke Harvard's certification for international students, which was filed on May 22.
A temporary restraining order was issued by US District Judge Allison D Burroughs on May 23, which would have otherwise barred Harvard from admitting new international students and forced current students to transfer or risk losing their legal status.
The Department of Homeland Security had previously claimed that Harvard was being held accountable for alleged collaboration with the Chinese Communist Party and for fostering violence and antisemitism among its students.
Harvard's complaint asserted that the administration's decision to block international student enrollment infringed upon the university's constitutional rights and would significantly disrupt its operations.
According to university data, 6,793 international students were enrolled at Harvard during the 2024-2025 academic year, constituting approximately 27.2% of the total student body.
In April, the Trump administration froze over $2.2 billion in grants and $60 million in contracts to Harvard after the university refused to comply with demands to change its policies and limit campus activism. In retaliation, Harvard filed another lawsuit to recover the funding.
This action followed Harvard's rejection of a comprehensive list of requirements from the White House aimed at addressing antisemitism and reforming university governance and admissions practices.
The government indicated that nearly $9 billion in total grants and contracts were at risk if Harvard did not adhere to the demands. Trump has also suggested revoking the university's tax-exempt status.
Among the demands were requirements for the university to report students deemed 'hostile' to American values to federal authorities, ensure diversity of viewpoints within departments, and allow external audits of programs accused of promoting antisemitic harassment.
Other proposed measures included banning face masks on campus, discontinuing diversity and inclusion initiatives, and withdrawing recognition from student organizations accused of promoting violence or criminal activity.
The White House has contended that universities have permitted antisemitism to thrive during protests related to Israel's conflict with Gaza and US support for it. The administration stated that Harvard has failed to meet the intellectual and civil rights standards justifying federal investment.
Since taking office, Trump has consistently targeted elite universities regarding campus protests, diversity initiatives, and free speech issues. Harvard is the seventh major institution to have its funding paused by his administration, joining Columbia University, the University of Pennsylvania, Brown, Princeton, Cornell, and Northwestern.