Donald Trump Blocks Harvard University from Enrolling Foreign Students
- Donald Trump's administration is set to put more than a quarter of Harvard's student community in danger of losing their legal status
- This comes as the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) current dispute with the university over the provision of foreign students' records
- The school is currently in a legal battle with the government over policy demands on diversity and inclusion, which the institution feels is a violation of human rights
In an escalation of its ongoing dispute with Harvard University, Donald Trump's administration has revoked the institution’s ability to admit international students.
Source: Getty Images
Why is Trump's administration fighting Harvard?
The decision, announced by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), comes after Harvard refused to comply with federal demands to provide records on foreign students and make policy changes regarding campus activism.
This move will also hurt current international students who will now be forced to either transfer or lose their legal status in the United States.
AP News reports that the 6,800 international students make up 27.2% of Harvard’s student body in Cambridge, Massachusetts, coming from more than 100 countries.
Many of these students, particularly those in graduate programmes, now face uncertainty about their academic futures.
The administration has stated that Harvard can regain its ability to enrol foreign students if it complies with a list of demands within 72 hours, including providing disciplinary records and surveillance footage of student protests.
Harvard has condemned the decision as 'unlawful', arguing that it undermines academic freedom and research efforts.
According to the BBC, the university has been engaged in a legal battle with the Trump administration over funding freezes and policy demands related to diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.
The administration’s stance has sparked concerns about broader implications for international education in the U.S., as other universities may face similar restrictions.
As the 2025-2026 academic year approaches, affected students must now scramble to find alternative institutions or risk deportation.
The situation has ignited debates over government intervention in higher education and the role of international students in American academia.
As Harvard fights back, the outcome of this standoff could set a precedent for universities nationwide.
Here are some of the comments regarding the directive:
mooncakejiuqi said:
"How can they enforce what a private university does?"
lovetricialee said:
"I love how they focus on what’s important. Imagine this energy focused on cancer, school shootings or healthcare."
lololongan said:
"Harvard has some of the best legal minds in the world - they need to gather them all and keep Trump in court until he chokes."
ambakshi01 said
"This is a disgrace. As an international harvard alum, International students are what make Harvard, Harvard. I hope Harvard’s lawyers have a field day with this. Never go up against the university with the best lawyers in the world."
tomi_gonzealba said:
"He was democratically elected, but he's ruling like a dictator would."
denamccoy said:
"This is the biggest man tantrum being played out for the whole world to see. It’s an absolute disgrace."
amberokum claimed:
"Trump attacking Harvard, Columbia and Stanford because the three school’s Admission offices turned down Barron Trump."
Source: Getty Images
Donald Trump confronts South Africa's Ramaphosa
Earlier, TUKO.co.ke reported that Trump confronted South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in a tense Oval Office meeting on May 21, 2025.
He presented a video featuring Julius Malema allegedly advocating violence against white South Africans, questioning Ramaphosa's inaction.
Ramaphosa calmly denied the claims, stating the footage misrepresented South Africa's reality and emphasised the government's commitment to nonracialism.
Malema responded on social media, dismissing the allegations and criticising the focus on his statements during the bilateral discussion.
The incident highlights ongoing diplomatic tensions between the U.S. and South Africa, particularly regarding land reform and racial narratives.
Proofreading by Asher Omondi, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
