Trump Halts Entry of Foreign Students at Harvard, Citing National Security

Tue Sep 23 2025 19:08:18 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

**Trump Halts Entry of Foreign Students at Harvard, Citing National Security**

The U.S. President's recent proclamation suspends foreign student visas at Harvard, leading to legal battles and backlash from the university.

In a controversial move aimed at bolstering national security, President Trump has suspended the entry of foreign students into Harvard University for six months. This decision has prompted a robust response from Harvard, which described the order as retaliatory and an infringement on its civil rights. The proclamation follows ongoing legal disputes between the Trump administration and the university regarding the treatment of international students, particularly in light of recent protests tied to global issues.

Trump's latest directive, issued on Wednesday, claims that allowing foreign students threatens U.S. interests, reflecting an escalating tension between the administration and prestigious institutions of higher learning. It accuses Harvard of ties to foreign entities and failing to meet national security information requests. The suspension not only affects new student visas but also puts existing visas at risk as the Secretary of State is instructed to review them.

In response, Harvard has been forthright in its condemnation, calling the proclamation illegal and asserting its adherence to First Amendment rights. The university has a significant international student body, with nearly 7,000 foreign students comprising 27% of its total enrollment for the upcoming academic year. As tensions rise, the institution continues to navigate the precarious landscape of educational policy, amidst accusations of not adequately addressing antisemitism on campus.

The ongoing legal battle underscores the importance of international students to Harvard's mission and the broader implications for U.S. higher education. As these conflicts unfold, the future of thousands of students remains uncertain, echoing Trump's contentious approach towards foreign relations and higher education in America.