Donald Trump suspends entry of new international students enrolled at Harvard

Washington DC: In a significant move invoking national security concerns, US President Donald J. Trump has announced a visa ban for international students planning to begin studies at Harvard University.

In an order he signed on Wednesday night, Trump issued a proclamation suspending the entry of foreign nationals seeking to study or participate in exchange visitor programs at Harvard University. Citing multiple compliance failures and national security risks, Trump said the prestigious institution has “rendered itself 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,” Trump said in the proclamation.

The proclamation pointed to Harvard’s alleged refusal to share disciplinary and criminal information regarding foreign students with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), despite specific requests for data on “known illegal activity,” threats, and other misconduct.

According to the proclamation, Harvard provided information on only three students, which the DHS deemed insufficient to determine further action. “These actions and failures directly undermine the Federal Government’s ability to ensure that foreign nationals... remain in compliance with Federal law,” the proclamation read.

Trump cited warnings from the FBI about foreign adversaries, including China, exploiting the American higher education system to steal intellectual property and spread misinformation. He also accused Harvard of fostering entanglements with foreign governments, receiving over $1 billion in foreign funding in the past five years—including over $150 million from China—and collaborating with individuals tied to the Chinese military, as noted by a US House Select Committee probe.

Harvard’s alleged failure to discipline campus misconduct and its “continued discrimination” in admissions post the Supreme Court’s ruling were also cited as grounds for the decision. “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 noted.(ANI)

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