Trump Threatens To Ban Harvard’s Foreign Student Enrollment Privileges Amid Funding Dispute
In a significant escalation of tensions between the Trump administration and Harvard University, President Donald Trump has threatened to strip the university of its ability to enroll international students unless it complies with federal demands concerning oversight and reporting.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued an ultimatum to Harvard, requiring the university to provide detailed information on certain visa holders by April 30. Failure to comply could result in the loss of privileges to enroll foreign students. Additionally, DHS has canceled two grants totaling $2.7 million and is reviewing approximately $9 billion in federal contracts and grants associated with Harvard .
These actions are part of a broader initiative by the Trump administration to address what it perceives as rising antisemitism and support for extremist groups on university campuses. The administration has accused certain student groups of promoting anti-American ideologies, particularly in the wake of pro-Palestinian protests related to the conflict in Gaza .
Harvard University has firmly rejected the federal government’s demands, asserting that such requirements infringe upon constitutional rights and threaten academic independence. University President Alan Garber stated, “The University will not surrender its independence or relinquish its constitutional rights,” emphasizing the institution’s commitment to upholding academic freedom .
The university’s stance has garnered support from other academic institutions and public figures. Former President Barack Obama criticized the administration’s actions as “ham-handed and illegal,” highlighting concerns over governmental overreach into educational affairs .
The administration’s threats have sparked anxiety among the international student community. With over 6,000 international students enrolled at Harvard, many fear the potential revocation of visas and the impact on their academic futures. This situation echoes previous tensions during Trump’s first term, when policies targeting foreign students led to legal challenges from institutions like Harvard and MIT .
The current dispute is rooted in Executive Order 14188, signed by President Trump in January 2025, which mandates increased scrutiny of antisemitism in educational institutions. The order directs federal agencies to monitor activities of foreign students and staff, leading to investigations and funding reviews at multiple universities .
As the April 30 deadline approaches, the standoff between Harvard University and the Trump administration underscores a growing conflict over academic freedom, federal oversight, and the rights of international students. The outcome of this dispute may set a precedent for the relationship between higher education institutions and government authority in the United States
