Washington, May 25 — On Sunday, US President Donald Trump blocks foreign students as he strongly defended his administration’s decision to block foreign students at Harvard. The statement came just after a judge temporarily suspended the controversial move, which Harvard University had condemned as unlawful. Taking to Truth Social, Trump questioned the university’s transparency, claiming that nearly 31 percent of its student body consists of foreign nationals. He argued that these students often come from countries “not at all friendly to the United States,” and that those nations contribute nothing to their education.
Trump criticized Harvard for receiving billions in federal funding while refusing to disclose detailed records about foreign students. He emphasized, “We want to know who those foreign students are — a reasonable request.”
Homeland Security Tightens Control Over Enrollments
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem took a hard stance on Thursday by revoking Harvard’s ability to enroll foreign nationals. She had earlier threatened to block international student enrollment unless Harvard provided records of visa holders involved in alleged “illegal and violent activities.” This decision immediately endangered the future of thousands of students and threatened the university’s valuable international tuition revenue. In response, Harvard swiftly sued the administration, prompting a judge to freeze the policy.
Government Expands Scrutiny of Universities Nationwide
Meanwhile, the White House has increased pressure on US universities, citing concerns over rising anti-Semitism and the need to reverse diversity-based initiatives. Officials have revoked visas and initiated deportations of foreign students who participated in protests against Israel’s military offensive in Gaza, linking their actions to Hamas support. At Harvard, the administration froze $2.2 billion in grants and $60 million in contracts, with $9 billion in total funding under review. Authorities have also targeted a researcher at Harvard Medical School for deportation.
As the dispute escalates, Harvard risks both reputational and financial loss. Despite its $53.2 billion endowment, losing international students could significantly impact its operations. The battle over education and national security continues, as Trump blocks foreign students remains at the heart of the controversy.
