Harvard foreign student visas targeted in Trump administration proclamation
President Donald Trump made a bold move on Wednesday by signing a proclamation that targets student visas for foreigners looking to study or participate in exchange programs at Harvard University. This action is part of an ongoing feud between the White House and the prestigious Ivy League school.
The proclamation directs the State Department to potentially revoke existing academic or exchange visas of current Harvard students who meet specific criteria. Trump emphasized that admission to the United States for educational purposes is a privilege granted by the government, not a guaranteed right. The President stated, “That privilege is necessarily tied to the host institution’s compliance and commitment to following Federal law. Harvard University has failed in this respect, among many others.”
It is important to note that this proclamation does not apply to foreign nationals attending other universities’ Student Exchange Visa Program (SEVP) and exempts individuals whose entry is deemed to be in the national interest.
Last month, the State Department announced that it would be scrutinizing all visa holders associated with Harvard University, not just student visa holders. This investigation aims to identify any potential security vulnerabilities or abuses within the visa system.
The proclamation cited Harvard’s concerning history regarding foreign ties and radicalism. It mentioned that Harvard has failed to provide adequate information to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) about foreign students’ illegal or dangerous activities. Additionally, Harvard has received over $150 million from China alone and has developed extensive connections with foreign adversaries.
The Trump administration has accused Harvard of failing to address antisemitism on campus, along with a drastic rise in crime in recent years. Harvard officials have pushed back, claiming that the administration is retaliating against the university with various measures, including freezing taxpayer-funded research grants and attempting to revoke its ability to enroll international students.
Harvard has also faced allegations of discrimination against certain groups. The university is currently embroiled in a legal battle with the Trump administration over these issues.
Fox News Digital has reached out to Harvard for comment on these recent developments. It remains to be seen how this proclamation will impact the university and its international student population.
