Donald Trump Admin Revokes Harvard’s Right to Enroll Foreign Students

Donald Trump’s administration has revoked Harvard University’s ability to enroll foreign nationals, putting the future of thousands of students at risk, with China on Friday slamming the “politicization” of educational exchanges.

The US administration’s decision on Thursday threatened the prestigious university with a huge financial blow.

The school in Cambridge, Massachusetts quickly slammed the decision as “unlawful” and said it would hurt both the campus and the country, while one student said the community was “panicking.”

Trump is furious at Harvard — which has produced 162 Nobel prize winners — for rejecting his demand that it submit to oversight on admissions and hiring over his claims that it is a hotbed of anti-Semitism and “woke” liberal ideology.

The loss of foreign nationals — more than a quarter of its student body — could prove costly to Harvard, which charges tens of thousands of dollars a year in tuition.

“Effective immediately, Harvard University’s Student and Exchange Visitor (SEVIS) Program certification is revoked,” Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem wrote in a letter to the Ivy League institution, referring to the main system by which foreign students are permitted to study in the United States.

“This administration is holding Harvard accountable for fostering violence, antisemitism, and coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party on its campus,” Noem said in a separate statement.

Chinese students make up more than a fifth of Harvard’s international enrollment, according to university figures, and Beijing said the decision will “only harm the image and international standing of the United States.”

“The Chinese side has consistently opposed the politicization of educational cooperation,” foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said.

‘Threatens serious harm’

Harvard, which has sued the US government over a separate raft of punitive measures, fired back at the Trump administration’s move, calling it “unlawful.”

“We are fully committed to maintaining Harvard’s ability to host our international students and scholars,” the university said in a statement, adding that it was working to offer students guidance and support.