Ola Akinwunmi
President Donald Trump doubled down on his administration’s controversial decision to bar Harvard University from enrolling international students, defending the move in a fiery post on Truth Social. The remarks came days after a federal judge temporarily blocked the policy, which threatens to upend the academic futures of thousands of students and marks a dramatic escalation in the White House’s clash with elite higher education institutions.
Trump criticized Harvard for hosting nearly 31% international students, claiming their home countries—some “not at all friendly to the United States”—contribute nothing financially to their education. He argued the U.S. government’s billions in funding to Harvard justified demands for transparency: “We want to know who those foreign students are… but Harvard isn’t exactly forthcoming”.
The administration’s crackdown began last week when Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem revoked Harvard’s certification to enroll foreign nationals, citing alleged failures to disclose records on students involved in “illegal and violent activities”. Noem accused the university of fostering antisemitism, “pro-terrorist” sympathies, and collusion with the Chinese Communist Party—claims Harvard has vehemently denied.
Harvard swiftly sued the federal government, calling the revocation “arbitrary, capricious, and unconstitutional” retaliation for resisting White House demands to alter admissions policies, curriculum, and faculty oversight. A federal judge in Massachusetts temporarily halted the policy, warning it would “erase a quarter of Harvard’s student body” and devastate research programs reliant on international scholars.
University President Alan Garber condemned the move as part of a broader “assault” on academic independence, vowing to fight for the 7,000 affected students, who comprise 27% of Harvard’s enrollment.
The Harvard dispute is a focal point in the Trump administration’s sweeping campaign targeting elite institutions. Officials cite concerns over antisemitism, diversity initiatives, and alleged left-wing bias.
Recently, $2.2 billion in federal grants to Harvard were halted, with threats to revoke tax-exempt status. Foreign students participating in pro-Palestinian protests face deportation over alleged ties to Hamas.
Columbia University recently capitulated to White House pressure to reform Middle East studies programs after losing $400 million in funding.
Critics argue the measures are politically motivated. “This is about asserting control over institutions that value independence from partisan agendas,” said Laura Meckler of The Washington Post.
