Washington D.C. – In a move escalating tensions with one of the nation’s most prestigious universities, former President donald Trump suspended the entry of foreign students seeking to study or participate in exchange programs at Harvard University for an initial period of six months. The proclamation, issued Wednesday, cites national security concerns and deems allowing foreign students at Harvard detrimental to U.S. interests.

Harvard Responds: “Retaliatory”

Harvard University has responded to the order, labeling it retaliatory and emphasizing its commitment to protecting its international students, according to Reuters news agency. This action follows an ongoing legal dispute that began after Harvard declined to comply with a series of White House demands in April.

Legal Background and Previous Rulings

The Wednesday order arrives shortly after a judge blocked the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from banning international students at Harvard in a ruling last week. This legal back-and-forth underscores the contentious relationship between the Trump management and the university.

Trump’s Accusations Against Harvard

The proclamation accuses Harvard of developing extensive entanglements with foreign countries and continuing to flout the civil rights of its students and faculty. The former president stated:

considering these facts, I have determined that it is necessary to restrict the entry of foreign nationals who seek to enter the United States solely or principally to participate in a course of study at Harvard University.
Former President Donald trump

The order also suspends visas for international students seeking exchange programs and directs the secretary of state to consider revoking existing visas of students currently studying at the university. The suspension can be extended beyond the initial six-month period.

White House Claims of Insufficient Facts

The White House asserted that Harvard had failed to provide sufficient information to the DHS regarding foreign students’ known illegal or hazardous activities and reported deficient data on only three students.

Harvard’s Response: “Illegal Retaliatory Step”

Harvard issued a statement calling the order yet another illegal retaliatory step taken by the administration in violation of Harvard’s First Amendment rights, according to Reuters.

Ongoing Legal Battle and Antisemitism Allegations

Harvard, the world’s wealthiest university, has been engaged in a legal battle with the Trump administration after it froze billions of dollars of federal funding and accused the institution of failing to root out antisemitism on campus. Last month, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem revoked certification Harvard needed to enroll foreign students on campus, a move that was swiftly blocked by a judge. Another federal judge upheld that decision last Thursday, saying she would issue a longer-term hold that would allow international students to continue their studies at Harvard while the legal battle plays out. however, Wednesday’s proclamation once again throws the futures of thousands of international students into limbo.

In recent months, the Trump administration has intensified its scrutiny of higher education in the U.S.,accusing universities of failing to address antisemitism amid protests against the war in Gaza across campuses. Earlier on Wednesday,the White House threatened to strip Columbia University of its accreditation over claims it violated the civil rights of its Jewish students.