Former President Donald Trump has once again set his sights on Harvard University, just days after a federal judge intervened to block his administration's attempt to revoke the university's ability to enroll international students. In a recent post on Truth Social, Trump expressed concerns that some of Harvard's international students hail from nations that are not friendly to the United States and contribute nothing towards their education. He emphasized that the administration is keen to discover the identities of these foreign students, suggesting that Harvard is not transparent in this matter.
This latest critique from Trump follows a significant legal development: a federal judge issued a temporary restraining order that prevents the administration from enacting its revocation of Harvard's ability to enroll international students. Harvard argued that this decision was a clear violation of the First Amendment rights, effectively punishing the institution for refusing to comply with the administration's demands regarding governance, curriculum, and the ideological stance of its faculty and students.
In April, the federal government took a drastic step by freezing over $2.2 billion in grants and contracts to Harvard following the school's refusal to alter its policies on hiring and admissions. This financial pressure is part of a broader strategy by the Trump administration to hold Harvard accountable for what they label as fostering violence and antisemitism on campus, as well as alleged coordination with the Chinese Communist Party.
In response to the administration’s actions, Harvard President Alan Garber stated that the temporary restraining order is a crucial step in safeguarding the rights and opportunities for international students and scholars, who play an essential role in the university's mission and community. International students make up approximately 27% of Harvard's student body and are generally ineligible for federal financial aid, making their enrollment vital to the institution's diversity and academic excellence.
A hearing is scheduled for Thursday to determine whether the temporary restraining order against the administration's revocation will be extended. As this situation unfolds, the implications for both Harvard and the wider landscape of higher education and international student enrollment remain significant.
