US President Donald Trump signed a proclamation suspending the entry of foreign nationals intending to study or participate in exchange programmes at Harvard University.
The order halts issuance of new student or exchange visitor (F, M, and J) visas for at least six months and directs the US State Department to consider revoking existing visas of current international students at Harvard.
The administration cited national security concerns, alleging that Harvard failed to comply with federal oversight demands and has ties to foreign ‘adversaries’, particularly China.
The White House pointed to over $150 million in funding from Chinese sources and accused the university of not adequately reporting misconduct involving foreign students.
Harvard, where international students comprise about 25% of the student body, condemned the action as illegal and retaliatory, asserting that it violates the university's First Amendment rights.
At Harvard University’s 2025 graduation ceremony, University President Alan Garber’s speech received a standing ovation and international recognition on social media in the form of subtle backlash against previous tensions with the Trump administration.
The university vowed to protect its international students and challenged the administration's actions in court.
This move follows a series of escalating tensions between the Trump administration and Harvard, including previous attempts to revoke the university's certification to enroll international students through the Student and Exchange Visitor Program.
A federal judge had blocked such efforts, but the new proclamation invokes presidential authority under the Immigration and Nationality Act to justify the suspension.
The suspension has sparked widespread concern among prospective and current international students, many of whom are now reconsidering their plans to study in the United States.
The president maintains that the measure is necessary to protect national interests, while critics argue it undermines academic freedom and the country's reputation as a welcoming destination for global scholars.
