Date: June 5, 2025
By BlogHear News Staff
Category: U.S. Politics & Education
Washington, D.C. — In a sweeping move escalating tensions with one of the nation’s most prestigious universities, former President Donald Trump on Wednesday issued a presidential proclamation suspending the entry of foreign students seeking to study or participate in exchange programs at Harvard University for an initial six-month period.
Citing national security concerns, Trump said it is “detrimental” to U.S. interests to allow foreign nationals to study at the Ivy League institution, referencing what he described as Harvard’s “extensive entanglements with foreign countries” and alleged violations of student and faculty civil rights.
“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,” Trump declared in the order.
The proclamation includes a suspension of new visas for international students and exchange participants and instructs the Secretary of State to consider revoking existing visas for those already enrolled at Harvard.
Harvard Responds: “Retaliatory and Illegal”
Harvard University issued a strong response, calling the move “retaliatory and illegal,” and reaffirmed its commitment to protecting its international student body.
“This is yet another illegal retaliatory step taken by the administration in violation of Harvard’s First Amendment rights,” Harvard said in a statement reported by Reuters.
The order comes just days after a federal judge blocked a prior Department of Homeland Security (DHS) attempt to revoke Harvard’s certification to host international students, allowing them to continue their studies as legal battles proceed.
Ongoing Legal Clash Between Trump and Harvard
This development follows a months-long legal and political dispute between the former president and the university. In April, the federal government froze billions in funding to Harvard, alleging the university failed to adequately address antisemitism on campus and did not comply with demands to provide data on international students’ activities.
The administration accused Harvard of providing “deficient data on only three students” while withholding information about others allegedly involved in “illegal or dangerous activities.”
Implications for Thousands of Students
Harvard enrolled nearly 7,000 foreign students during the 2024–2025 academic year, accounting for roughly 27% of its student population. The sudden visa suspension has left thousands in legal limbo, including students from China and other countries previously targeted by Trump’s foreign student policies.
The White House said the six-month suspension may be extended further depending on Harvard’s “future compliance.”
Broader Crackdown on Higher Education
The move against Harvard is part of a broader push by the Trump administration targeting universities over allegations of antisemitism, particularly amid student protests related to the war in Gaza. Earlier on Wednesday, the administration also threatened Columbia University with the loss of its accreditation over similar claims.
Harvard’s international community and academic leaders nationwide are now awaiting further legal developments as advocacy groups prepare to challenge the latest order in court.
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