Trump proclamation seeks to restrict international students from Harvard

Washington Post

a day ago

President Donald Trump on Wednesday evening sought to restrict international students and scholars from entering the country to attend, conduct research or teach at Harvard University, further escalating the administration's strong-armed attempts to force change in higher education.
The proclamation, 'Enhancing National Security by Addressing Risks at Harvard University,' comes days after a federal judge blocked the administration's attempts to revoke the school's ability to host foreign students and scholars. The administration has said forceful action is needed to address complaints of antisemitism after protests disrupted college campuses during the 2023-2024 academic year over the Israel-Gaza war.
The temporary restraining order issued by U.S. District Judge Allison D. Burroughs last week halted a Department of Homeland Security move to revoke Harvard's Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification. The administration alleged that Harvard allowed 'anti-American, pro-terrorist' foreigners 'to harass and physically assault individuals … and obstruct its once-venerable learning environment.'
The administration has demanded that Harvard comply with numerous directives it says are aimed at ensuring more forceful action against campus antisemitism, among other concerns. Harvard has contested the actions with two lawsuits challenging the administration's actions as unconstitutional and unlawful, and has said it has and is continuing to take measures to address discrimination on its campus.
In response, the Trump administration has taken a number of actions, including announcing that billions of dollars of federal grant funding is under review, terminating research contracts, launching investigations and threatening to revoke the school's tax-exempt status. Harvard has called those actions retaliation for its refusal to relinquish its academic independence.
Trump's proclamation says '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 or in an exchange visitor program hosted by Harvard University,' because entry of those foreign nationals is 'detrimental to the interests of the United States because, in my judgment, Harvard's conduct has rendered it an unsuitable destination for foreign students and researchers.'
He said the denial of access would continue until the university shares information the federal government requires 'to safeguard national security and the American public.'
DHS had demanded information about foreign students that included known illegal activity or threats against students or faculty. According to the proclamation, Harvard provided data on misconduct by only three students, which 'was so deficient that the DHS could not evaluate whether it should take further actions.'
'Harvard's actions show that it either is not fully reporting its disciplinary records for foreign students or is not seriously policing its foreign students,' Trump's proclamation states.
Spokespeople for Harvard did not immediately respond to requests for comment, but the school has said in the past that it responded to DHS requests for information as required by law but was told its responses were insufficient.
More than 7,000 international students and scholars are currently at Harvard, and the school is expecting thousands more to arrive for the summer and fall terms. More than a quarter of Harvard students come from other countries, drawn by the university's internationally known reputation and opportunities.
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a post on social media Wednesday that the Justice Department would 'vigorously defend the President's proclamation suspending the entry of new foreign students at Harvard University based on national security concerns.'
This story is developing and will be updated.