Former U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a controversial proclamation restricting international students from entering the country to attend Harvard University, citing national security concerns. The directive, which can be extended beyond its initial six-month period, also instructs the State Department to consider canceling existing student and exchange visas for those already enrolled at the university.
Harvard, in response, called the move “another unlawful and retaliatory measure” and said it violated the school’s First Amendment rights. “Harvard will continue to defend its international students,” the university said in a statement, pushing back strongly against the administration’s decision.
The proclamation comes just a week after a federal judge in Boston indicated she would block the administration from interfering with Harvard’s enrollment of foreign students — who make up nearly 25% of the total student body. Judge Allison Burroughs was preparing to issue an injunction aimed at protecting Harvard’s certification to host foreign students when Trump’s order was made public.
This development is just the latest in a series of escalations between Harvard and federal authorities. The administration has already frozen billions in research grants and hinted at removing the university’s tax-exempt status. Harvard claims these actions are part of an effort to pressure the institution into accepting government influence over its internal affairs — including its curriculum, governance, and campus ideology.
Tensions flared further when, on May 22, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced that Harvard’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification was being revoked with immediate effect. That action was quickly put on hold by Judge Burroughs. However, rather than follow through with the revocation, the administration then opted for a slower administrative review process.
Despite this pivot, Harvard’s legal team requested continued judicial protection, prompting the court to consider a longer-term injunction to prevent sudden enforcement that could impact thousands of students.
Following the court hearing, a confidential cable from the State Department directed embassies and consulates worldwide to apply extra scrutiny to all visa applicants planning to attend Harvard. The Trump directive accused Harvard of maintaining “dangerous foreign affiliations,” particularly with countries like China, and referenced rising campus crime and a lack of transparency about foreign students involved in alleged misconduct.
The administration’s stance reflects broader concerns by intelligence agencies about the misuse of academic institutions for espionage and influence. But critics argue the actions target Harvard unfairly and threaten academic freedom on a global scale.
