The Trump administration is ramping up pressure on Harvard University. Their intimidation has included threatening to cancel the university’s license to enroll international students. ORR’s decision is particularly concerning given increased tensions. The recent Hamas attacks on Israel sparked a wave of campus protests condemning Israel and its right to self-defense. The administration’s stance is significant, as international students make up more than 27% of Harvard’s total enrollment for the fall 2023 semester.
The Trump administration’s threats follow a letter last week from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. She urged that, as a privilege, Harvard’s doors should not be opened wide to all foreign students. This letter warned the university that its certification to accept foreign students is contingent upon compliance with federal immigration regulations under Title 8.
Harvard has recently depended on international students to help fill the university’s multi-billion dollar endowment coffers. The university has done an about-face and made a strong stand against many of these demands. These demands range from outright abolishing all Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives to reforming DEI’s hiring practices and student discipline policies. In response to Harvard’s noncompliance, the Department of Homeland Security announced it would cancel two grants totaling $2.7 million, labeling the institution “unfit to be entrusted with taxpayer dollars.”
Additionally, Kristi Noem, the administrator of the federal agency driving the administration’s agenda with scathing comments on campus climate.
“Harvard bending the knee to antisemitism — driven by its spineless leadership — fuels a cesspool of extremist riots and threatens our national security.” – Kristi Noem
In light of the ongoing conflict, Harvard’s President Alan Garber criticized the administration for seeking “direct governmental regulation of the ‘intellectual conditions’ at Harvard.” Our university has always made it a priority to comply with the law. It further urges the administration to hold those standards.
“We continue to stand by that statement. We will continue to comply with the law and expect the Administration to do the same.” – Harvard spokesperson
For example, the administration’s aggressive tactics have involved freezing $2.2 billion in grants and $60 million in contracts with Harvard University. Additionally, Kristi Noem indicated that the university’s SEVP certification would be automatically withdrawn unless it responds by April 30 with information about its student visa holders.
Harvard’s predicament shines a light on the broader, stormy waters roiling U.S. higher education. These institutions are on the front lines of increasingly radical political pressures and the battle to maintain their academic integrity and global reputation. The Trump administration held firm in a bold move, cancelling $400 million in federal funding to Columbia University. This decision followed the university’s joint agreement to a demands list.
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