Trump Imposes Six-Month Suspension on Foreign Student Visas at Harvard

The proclamation has been met with backlash from the university, igniting a legal dispute amid ongoing tensions between the institution and the administration.

In a controversial move, President Donald Trump announced a six-month suspension on the entry of foreign students wishing to study or engage in exchange programs at Harvard University. Issued on Wednesday, the proclamation cites "national security" as the primary concern behind this decision, deeming it "detrimental" to U.S. interests to continue permitting foreign students at the institution.

In response, Harvard has characterized the order as "retaliatory" and has reiterated its commitment to safeguarding its international student community. This latest action further intensifies the ongoing legal dispute between the university and the Trump administration, which has escalated following Harvard's refusal to comply with various presidential demands earlier in the year.

The announcement follows a judicial ruling in the past week that blocked the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from prohibiting international students at Harvard. Trump's proclamation specifically accused the prestigious university of creating "extensive entanglements" with foreign nations and neglecting the civil rights of its faculty and students. He stated, "Considering these facts, I have determined that it is necessary to restrict the entry of foreign nationals who seek to enter the United States solely or principally to participate in a course of study at Harvard University."

In addition to suspending entry visas for foreign students, the proclamation also applies to students in exchange programs and directs the Secretary of State to determine whether to revoke the visas of current students at Harvard. This suspension has the potential to be extended past the initial six months.

The White House has criticized Harvard for allegedly not providing sufficient information regarding "foreign students' known illegal or dangerous activities," citing "deficient data on only three students." In retaliation, Harvard condemned the order as "another illegal retaliatory step taken by the administration" that infringes on the First Amendment rights of the university. Moreover, Harvard has been engaged in a legal contest after the Trump administration halted billions in federal funding, accusing the institution of failing to address antisemitism on campus.

Previously, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem had revoked the necessary certification for Harvard to enroll foreign students, but that decision was blocked by a judge. Last Thursday, a federal ruling allowed for the continuance of international students’ studies at Harvard while the legal dispute remains unresolved. Nevertheless, Wednesday's proclamation casts uncertainty upon the futures of thousands of international students enrolled at Harvard, which enrolled nearly 7,000 foreign students, comprising 27% of its student body, for the 2024-2025 academic year.

In the midst of rising tensions, a Chinese student at Harvard recently called for unity during the university's graduation ceremony, coinciding with Trump's threats to "aggressively" revoke visas for Chinese students. The administration's escalating initiatives targeting higher education institutions have contributed to a fraught environment, with claims of antisemitism on campuses amid protests linked to the conflict in Gaza. Earlier on Wednesday, the White House expressed intentions to revoke Columbia University's accreditation due to alleged civil rights violations against Jewish students. The ripple effects of Trump's actions against Harvard are expected to continue long after his presidency concludes.