By Reena Bhardwaj
Washington, D.C. [United States], June 5 (ANI):
In a sweeping proclamation invoking national security concerns, U.S. President Donald J. Trump has suspended the entry of international students planning to begin studies at Harvard University. The order, signed on Wednesday night, halts all new F, M, and J visa admissions for students seeking to enroll at Harvard, effective June 9, 2025.
Citing what he called repeated compliance failures and national security vulnerabilities, Trump declared Harvard “an unsuitable destination for foreign students and researchers.”
“Admission into the United States to attend, conduct research, or teach at our Nation’s institutions of higher education is a privilege… Harvard University has failed in this respect,” the proclamation stated.
According to the order, Harvard allegedly failed to cooperate with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) by not sharing critical disciplinary or criminal data on foreign students. The university reportedly submitted information on only three individuals despite multiple federal requests related to “known illegal activity,” threats, and misconduct—deemed insufficient by DHS for necessary national security assessments.
President Trump also pointed to intelligence warnings from the FBI about foreign adversaries, including China, exploiting American universities to steal intellectual property and disseminate propaganda. A U.S. House Select Committee investigation reportedly found that Harvard had received over $1 billion in foreign funding over the past five years—including $150 million from China—and collaborated with individuals tied to the Chinese military.
Additionally, the proclamation cited Harvard’s alleged failure to uphold student conduct standards, as well as “continued discrimination” in admissions despite a Supreme Court ruling. “It is not in the interest of the United States to further compound Harvard’s discrimination… by further reducing opportunities for American students through excessive foreign student enrollment,” Trump added.
The suspension will remain in effect for six months and may be extended pending review. Trump directed the Secretaries of State and Homeland Security to enforce the proclamation and consider whether existing Harvard foreign students should have their visas revoked. Exceptions will be granted to individuals whose entry is determined to be in the national interest.
The order also authorizes limiting Harvard’s participation in the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) and related information systems until full compliance is demonstrated.
In a separate proclamation, President Trump imposed new travel restrictions on nationals from 19 countries, citing national security risks. The list includes Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Congo (Republic), Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. Partial restrictions also apply to nationals from Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela.
Trump announced the measures via a video posted on his platform, Truth Social, citing the recent Colorado attack as evidence of the “extreme dangers” posed by inadequately vetted foreign nationals. (ANI)
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