Latest news with #JasonNewton
South China Morning Post
23-07-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Trump admin investigates Harvard eligibility for foreign scholar visa programme
In the latest in a series of Trump administration inquiries targeting Harvard University, the US State Department said on Wednesday that it was investigating whether the Ivy League school would remain part of a government programme that provides American visas for students and researchers from other countries. Advertisement Harvard has faced mounting sanctions and scrutiny from Washington since rejecting demands from a federal antisemitism task force in April. Harvard has filed a lawsuit challenging US$2.6 billion in federal cuts and has accused the Republican administration of waging a retaliation campaign. The statement from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio did not say why his department was examining Harvard's eligibility to take part in the Exchange Visitor Programme, which allows foreign nationals to study or work in the United States through cultural and education exchange programmes. It said all sponsors, such as Harvard, 'are required to fully comply with exchange visitor regulations, transparency in reporting, and a demonstrated commitment to fostering the principles of cultural exchange and mutual understanding upon which the programme was founded'. 04:21 Citing China 'activity', Trump administration bars Harvard from enrolling foreign students Citing China 'activity', Trump administration bars Harvard from enrolling foreign students Harvard spokesman Jason Newton said the investigation was 'another retaliatory step' taken by the administration.
Forbes
05-06-2025
- Politics
- Forbes
Trump Bans Harvard's International Students From Entering US
Officials from Harvard University on Wednesday night criticized President Donald Trump's move to block the entry of its international students and researchers into the U.S. and revoke their visas, as the White House sought to reposition its fight to block the entry of the university's international students into the U.S. as a national security issue. In a proclamation signed on Wednesday night, the president suspended the entry into the U.S. of any new Harvard University student or researcher under the F, M, or J student and exchange visitor visas. The president has also ordered Secretary of State Marco Rubio to 'consider revoking existing F, M, or J visas' for existing Harvard students. The move does not impact international students attending other U.S. universities and will also not apply to Harvard students, 'whose entry is deemed in the national interest.' The White House's announcement outlined multiple grievances with the university, including allegations of foreign adversaries taking advantage of 'easy access to American higher education' and Harvard's refusal to share disciplinary records for foreign students. The announcement said its stated issues have ' compelled the Federal government to conclude that Harvard University is no longer a trustworthy steward of international student and exchange visitor programs.' In a statement issued to multiple outlets, Harvard University spokesperson Jason Newton said: 'This is yet another illegal retaliatory step taken by the Administration in violation of Harvard's First Amendment rights…Harvard will continue to protect its international students.' In a post on X, Attorney General Pam Bondi wrote: 'Admission to the United States to study at an 'elite' American university is a privilege, not a right. This Department of Justice will vigorously defend the President's proclamation suspending the entry of new foreign students at Harvard University based on national security concerns.'
Boston Globe
29-05-2025
- Politics
- Boston Globe
Harvard's 374th commencement to kick off as usual, in unusual times
The commencement, during which thousands of students and parents will pack Harvard Yard, caps the end of a tumultuous academic year for Harvard amid unprecedented threats by the federal government to both its autonomy and bottom line. The Trump administration this year launched an array of investigations into Harvard, terminated billions of dollars in research grants, is seeking to bar it from enrolling international students, and has threatened to revoke its tax-exempt status. Advertisement The ground continued shifting under Harvard Yard even this week, as federal agencies were told on Tuesday to Related : Early on, Trump officials said the steps are a response to a failure on Harvard's part to address antisemitism on campus. Recently, the administration has accused Harvard of violating antidiscrimination laws during its admissions and hiring processes. Harvard has said in lawsuits and public statements that it believes Trump's actions toward the university are unlawful. 'These terminations are putting a stop to lifesaving research and, in some cases, losing years of important work that the federal government has previously designated as a priority when the funding was appropriated by Congress,' Harvard spokesperson Jason Newton said. 'We will continue to fight against unlawful terminations.' Advertisement Stanford physician and author Abraham Verghese is set to give the 2025 commencement address. Verghese, born in Ethiopia, wrote the best-selling novel 'The Covenant of Water.' This post will be updated with reporting from the commencement ceremonies. Material from previous Globe stories was used in this report. Spencer Buell can be reached at
NDTV
24-05-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
After Trump's Ban, Hong Kong University Announces "Unconditional Offers" For Harvard Foreign Students
Amid the US government's crackdown on elite colleges, a university in Hong Kong has promised "unconditional offers" for international students at Harvard University. According to Newsweek, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) said it would help "ensure a smooth transition" for students unable to enrol for the next school year. The university will prioritise expedited admissions, credit transfers, and provide support, including visa assistance and housing, to students, HKUST said. "Diversity fuels creativity and progress. We are prepared to welcome Harvard students into our community, offering them the resources and vibrant environment needed to thrive in their fields," said Guo Yike, the provost at HKUST, as per Newsweek. HKUST's offer comes after the Chinese government criticised the US government for stopping the enrollment of foreign students and student exchange programmes at Harvard University. More than 1,000 Chinese students currently attend the Ivy League school, the outlet reported. Announcing the move on Thursday, the US Department of Homeland Security said that Harvard had created an unsafe campus environment by allowing "anti-American, pro-terrorist agitators" to harass and assault Jewish students on campus and accused Harvard of coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party, saying it hosted and trained members of a Chinese paramilitary group as recently as last year. Harvard University, on the other hand, called the US Government's move to ban foreign students "unlawful". In a statement, Harvard spokesperson Jason Newton said, "We are fully committed to maintaining Harvard's ability to host international students and scholars, who hail from more than 140 countries and enrich the University - and this nation - immeasurably." Harvard is also suing the Trump administration against its decision to revoke its eligibility to enrol international students. "As we pursue legal remedies, we will do everything in our power to support our students and scholars," the university said. Meanwhile, critics have warned that the US government's move could deter top talent from abroad from coming to the US to study. So, HKUST's offer indicates that an increasing number of international students could choose top institutions in China, Hong Kong and other places instead. Notably, HKUST is ranked sixty-sixth best in the world in the Times Higher Education's college rankings 2025. Harvard placed third.
Boston Globe
18-04-2025
- Business
- Boston Globe
Foreign funding at Harvard is in the spotlight. But where does it come from?
Advertisement Harvard spokesperson Jason Newton said the data the school submits annually includes 'information on gifts and contracts from foreign sources exceeding $250K annually,' including those to 'provide executive education, other training, and academic publications.' Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up Here is what the disclosures show, according to a Globe analysis. Harvard receives the most foreign contributions of any Ivy League school and other prominent research institutions in the region, including MIT, Boston University, and University of Massachusetts Amherst. Donors from roughly 90 countries have sent money to Harvard over the last three decades, with the biggest cumulative contributions coming from England, Switzerland, India, China, and Hong Kong, according to federal data going back to 1995. The funds have been funneled to specific research projects, professorships, and new initiatives. Three restricted gifts from Turkish donors totaling $6 million since 2022 , for example, were designated for the establishment of Harvard's Sabri Ülker Center for Metabolic Research. Some funds from China supported the the Harvard China Engagement Endowment Fund and the China Conservation Collaboration to protect tree species at the Arnold Arboretum. Advertisement These contributions are key to Harvard's budget, which relies heavily on philanthropic gifts and endowment contributions — from inside the US and beyond — to account for almost 40 percent of its annual operating revenue. Related : In all, the Department of Education shows that Harvard received more than $150 million directly from foreign governments over that time, with the largest total contributions from the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia. The UAE's gifts have been used to support students from Arab countries, including by providing financial aid for classes and summer programs and funding for graduate fellowships. Going back to 2010, the amount of foreign contributions Harvard receives has fluctuated between $86 and $338 million annually, but gifts fell off after 2023 when the college saw a significant decline in fundraising amidst controversies around pro-Palestinian protests and allegations of campus antisemitism. Harvard, alongside other elite universities, has long been criticized for accepting donations from governments and individual from countries with sometimes-hostile relationships with the United States. In 2020, the Education Department under President Trump launched an investigation into foreign investments from Harvard and asked the university to disclose information about contracts related to China, Iran, Russia, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, plus gifts from specific firms, including telecommunications giant Huawei and the the Alavi Foundation, which has given money to Harvard in the past to promote the study of Islamic culture. A report of the investigation's findings released that October said that Harvard 'appears to possess inadequate institutional controls over its foreign donations and contracts,' Advertisement Then last May, Harvard officials began digging into donations from the Middle East amidst concerns about antisemitism on campus. The university's lawyers later said that 'no issues were identified' with those gifts. Congress is now considering bills that could constrict universities' ability to accept foreign funds, reduce the reporting threshold for donations, and institute fines for college that do not comply with additional requirements. Diti Kohli can be reached at
