Trump Administration Intensifies Pressure, Threatens Foreign Student Ban At Harvard

As the clash between the US President Donald Trump administration and Harvard University escalates, highlighting politics and financial stakes, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said that the institution will lose its ability to enrol foreign students if it does not meet the Trump administration’s demands.

According to Reuters, on Wednesday, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem also announced the termination of two DHS grants worth over $2.7 million to Harvard. Noem stated that she had sent a letter to Harvard requesting records related to what she described as the "illegal and violent activities" of the university’s foreign student visa holders, with a deadline of April 30.

"And if Harvard cannot verify it is in full compliance with its reporting requirements, the university will lose the privilege of enrolling foreign students," Noem said in a statement, according to the report.

A Harvard spokesperson said the university was aware of Noem's letter "regarding grant cancellations and scrutiny of foreign student visas." The spokesperson said that the university stood by its statement from earlier this week and is not going to surrender its “independence or relinquish its constitutional rights”, but said that it will comply with the law.

'Combating Antisemitism'

On Monday, a Department of Education task force combating antisemitism criticised the nation's oldest university, accusing it of exhibiting a "troubling entitlement mindset that is endemic in our nation's most prestigious universities and colleges - that federal investment does not come with the responsibility to uphold civil rights laws."

The Trump administration is also attempting to deport some foreign protesters and has revoked hundreds of visas across the country.

"With a $53.2 billion endowment, Harvard can fund its own chaos - DHS won't," Noem said, adding an "anti-American, pro-Hamas ideology" existed at Harvard.

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The Trump administration is also working to deport certain foreign protesters and has cancelled hundreds of visas nationwide. "With a $53.2 billion endowment, Harvard can fund its own chaos - DHS won't," Noem said, adding an "anti-American, pro-Hamas ideology" existed at Harvard.

Previously, Harvard stated that it is committed to combating antisemitism and other forms of prejudice on campus while upholding academic freedom and the right to protest.

Aside from Harvard, the Trump administration has frozen or cancelled some funding for universities like Columbia, Princeton, Brown, Cornell and Northwestern as well. It has also threatened to withhold funding over culture war issues such as DEI programs and transgender policies.

On Tuesday, Trump also threatened to revoke Harvard's tax-exempt status. CNN reported on Wednesday that the U.S. Internal Revenue Service was preparing to take action, with a final decision expected soon.

In response, Harvard argued that there is no legal basis for such a move, calling it unprecedented. The university warned that losing its tax-exempt status would reduce financial aid for students and force the discontinuation of some vital medical research programs.

Upon its resistance, the former US President Barack Obama showed his support for the stand. Obama, who is a Harvard Law alumnus, said that the university has "set an example for other higher-ed institutions".

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