Tit for Tat: White House Limits Harvard's International Students and Researchers
U.S. Administration Prohibits International Harvard Students from Entry
Harvard University has been caught in the crosshairs of a heated war of words with the Trump administration, as the president has tightened his grip on the university's international student and researcher programs, following an order that suspends entry for newcomers and potentially revokes visas for existing students.
The Trump Administration's Moves
In a contentious decision made public on June 5, 2025, the White House authorized an entry ban for fresh Harvard students on F, M, or J visas, aiming to bar them from the states [1][2][3]. Moreover, the President has urged Secretary of State Marco Rubio to consider the annulment of existing F, M, or J visas for current Harvard students, based on the criteria spelled out in the order [2][3][4].
Unaffected Universities, Impacted Students
This restrictive action will not affect international students attending other U.S. educational institutions. The new measures will, however, leave a significant impact on the Harper community, with over 6,793 students from abroad enrolled during the 2024-25 academic year, making up around 27% of Harvard’s student population [1].
Harvard's Response
Following the announcement, Harvard University spokesperson Jason Newton criticized the move as an "illegal retaliatory step" and vowed "Harvard will continue to protect its international students." Attorney General Pam Bondi, however, expressed her unwavering support for the President's proclamation, stating that admission to study at Harvard is a privilege, not a right [1].
A Broad Policy Targeting Foreign Students and Scholars
It's important to note that Harvard's predicament is part of a series of federal maneuvers aimed at clamping down on foreign student and scholar programs in American academia. Last month, the Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem revoked the university's authority to sponsor F and J visas for international students and scholars, a move that was then blocked by a federal judge [2].
Uncertainty and Support
Having responded to the government's information requests as mandated, Harvard is providing updates and support to impacted students and scholars. A court hearing is scheduled for June 16, 2025, to address the university's legal challenges [2].
The Future of Harvard's International Students and Researchers
As the situation progresses, fresh international students are barred from entering the U.S. to start their studies at Harvard, while current students face uncertainty, as their visas may be under scrutiny and even subject to revocation based on the discretion of Secretary Rubio [2].
Sources:
- Judge Blocks Trump Administration From Banning International Students At Harvard
- Harvard Barred From Enrolling International Students By Trump Administration
- Trump Bans Travel From 12 Countries
The Trump administration's decision to impose an entry ban on fresh Harvard students on F, M, or J visas is a contentious policy-and-legislation move within the politics sphere, as part of a broader policy targeting foreign students and scholars in American academia. The restrictive action will leave a significant impact on the general-news perspective, as over 6,793 international students from abroad, making up around 27% of Harvard’s student population, may be affected.
