President Donald Trump has issued a proclamation targeting foreign student visas at Harvard University, citing national security concerns over the school’s alleged ties to foreign adversaries. The move is part of an ongoing feud between the White House and the Ivy League institution, which has been the subject of multiple investigations and accusations from the Trump administration.
The proclamation, signed on Wednesday, instructs the State Department to consider revoking existing academic and exchange visas for current Harvard students who meet specific criteria. However, it does not apply to participants in the Student Exchange Visa Program (SEVP) at other universities. The measure also includes exemptions for individuals whose entry into the U.S. is deemed in the national interest.
Trump has framed the action as a necessary step to protect national security, emphasizing that the privilege of attending U.S. universities is conditional upon the host institution’s compliance with federal law. Harvard, according to the proclamation, has failed in this regard, among several other issues.
The State Department has already begun scrutinizing all visa holders associated with Harvard, not just student visa holders, as part of an investigation aimed at identifying security vulnerabilities and potential abuses of the visa system. The proclamation specifically mentioned Harvard’s history of concerning foreign ties and radicalism, highlighting its alleged failure to report on illegal or dangerous activities by foreign students.
Furthermore, the proclamation criticized Harvard for its extensive entanglements with foreign adversaries, particularly China. It stated that the university has received over $150 million from the Chinese government and has hosted Chinese Communist Party members. The school is also accused of collaborating on research that could benefit China’s military modernization efforts.
Trump’s administration has previously accused Harvard of failing to address antisemitism on campus and of allowing a drastic rise in crime while failing to discipline certain conduct violations. Harvard officials have responded by alleging that the Trump administration is retaliating against the university, seeking to freeze taxpayer-funded research grants, revoke its ability to enroll international students, and investigate potential discrimination against white, Asian, male, or straight employees.
The situation remains ongoing, and Harvard has not yet provided a formal response to the allegations. As the Trump administration continues to scrutinize the university, the broader implications for U.S. higher education and international relations remain uncertain.