Trump defends Harvard crackdown on foreign students

U.S. President Donald Trump on 25th May defended his administration’s controversial move to block foreign students from enrolling at Harvard University, following a federal judge’s decision to suspend the action – deemed unlawful by the university. The developments were reported by The New Arab.

“Why isn’t Harvard saying that almost 31% of their students are from FOREIGN LANDS, and yet those countries, some not at all friendly to the United States, pay NOTHING toward their student’s education, nor do they ever intend to,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.

“We want to know who those foreign students are, a reasonable request since we give Harvard BILLIONS OF DOLLARS, but Harvard isn’t exactly forthcoming.”

The crackdown was initiated last week by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who revoked Harvard’s authorisation to enrol foreign nationals, placing the academic future of thousands of international students – and the significant revenue they generate – into uncertainty.

Noem had previously warned that the university could lose its ability to host international students unless it disclosed records related to visa holders’ alleged “illegal and violent activities.”

Harvard responded by filing a lawsuit, prompting a swift judicial intervention that temporarily halted the administration’s actions. The lawsuit accuses the government of pursuing an “arbitrary, capricious, unlawful, and unconstitutional” course of action.

This development comes as the White House intensifies its scrutiny of higher education institutions, citing concerns over what it characterises as unchecked anti-Semitism and opposition to race-conscious diversity programs.

The administration has also escalated measures to revoke visas and deport foreign students who have participated in campus protests against the war in Gaza, alleging that some demonstrators have shown support for Hamas, the Palestinian militant group designated as a terrorist organisation by the U.S.

At Harvard, federal officials have gone further, threatening to reassess up to $9 billion in federal funding. Already, $2.2 billion in grants and $60 million in federal contracts have been frozen. Additionally, a researcher at Harvard Medical School has reportedly been singled out for deportation.

The potential loss of international students – who make up more than a quarter of Harvard’s student population – poses a serious financial risk. The university charges tens of thousands of dollars annually in tuition, and international students contribute significantly to its revenue model.

Despite its immense wealth – Harvard’s endowment reached $53.2 billion in 2024 – the university now faces a politically charged confrontation with potentially profound academic and financial implications.

The New Arab/ Maghrebi.org