Washington D.C. — In a sweeping new immigration order, U.S. President Donald J. Trump has issued a temporary ban on the entry of international students intending to begin studies at Harvard University, citing national security concerns, compliance failures, and foreign influence risks.
The proclamation, signed late Wednesday, suspends the entry of all foreign nationals under F, M, or J visas seeking to study, research, or teach at Harvard. The order is effective from June 9, 2025, and will remain in effect for six months, with the possibility of an extension.
🔍 Key Allegations Against Harvard
In a strongly worded proclamation, President Trump declared:
“Harvard University has rendered itself an unsuitable destination for foreign students and researchers… The entry of this class of foreign nationals is detrimental to the interests of the United States.”
The order outlines the following reasons for the visa suspension:
- Failure to share criminal and disciplinary information about foreign students with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) despite multiple requests.
- Inadequate cooperation with federal vetting procedures.
- Receipt of over $1 billion in foreign funding over five years, including $150 million from China.
- Ties with individuals linked to the Chinese military, as flagged by a U.S. House Select Committee.
- Alleged post-Supreme Court ruling discrimination in admissions and failure to discipline campus misconduct.
⚖ Legal Basis
The proclamation invokes Sections 212(f) and 215(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, which allow the President to suspend the entry of certain non-citizens when it is deemed detrimental to national interests.
The order instructs the State Department and DHS to assess whether existing Harvard foreign students should have their visas revoked and to consider limiting Harvard’s participation in the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP).
🛂 Exemptions & National Interest Clause
The order includes exemptions for individuals whose entry is “deemed in the national interest” by the Secretaries of State or Homeland Security.
📺 Trump’s Video Message & Broader Travel Ban
In a video posted on Truth Social, Trump linked the policy to a recent attack in Colorado, asserting the U.S. must “prevent foreign nationals from exploiting our institutions.”
He also signed a separate proclamation restricting travel from 19 countries, including:
- Fully banned: Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen.
- Partially restricted: Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, Venezuela.
🌐 Reactions & Implications
The unprecedented move to target a single university, especially one as globally prominent as Harvard, is expected to stir intense international backlash, legal challenges, and protests from academic institutions and civil rights groups.
It marks a significant escalation of Trump’s “America First” immigration doctrine in his second term, focusing not only on borders and travel but also on intellectual and academic security.
🧭 What’s Next?
- Legal challenges from Harvard University or affiliated international organizations are likely.
- Countries with large student populations at Harvard—such as China, India, and South Korea—may issue diplomatic protests.
- The DHS and State Department are expected to release implementation guidelines in the coming days.