President Donald Trump has taken aim at Harvard University, criticizing the prestigious school for not disclosing the identities of its foreign students while receiving taxpayer money. This statement comes amid a conflict between the university and the Trump administration over issues of antisemitism on campus.
Recently, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that Harvard would not be allowed to accept new foreign students. This decision sparked a lawsuit from the university, which argues that the government is infringing on its rights.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump expressed his frustration, highlighting that nearly 31% of Harvard’s students are from other countries. He pointed out that these students do not contribute financially to their education and questioned why the university has not been more transparent about their backgrounds. Trump emphasized that Harvard receives substantial federal funding and should disclose the names and countries of these foreign students.
According to Harvard’s own data, around 6,800 international students make up over 27% of the student body for the 2024-2025 academic year. The university has filed a lawsuit against the federal government, claiming that the administration is retaliating against it for rejecting demands that would interfere with its governance and academic freedom.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stated that Harvard was stripped of its certification in the Student and Exchange Visitor Program due to violations of reporting requirements. She accused the university of fostering violence and antisemitism while allegedly coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party. Noem asserted that Harvard had numerous chances to comply with the law but failed to do so, resulting in the loss of its certification.
This ongoing dispute highlights the tension between the university and the Trump administration, reflecting broader debates about foreign students in American education and the responsibilities of elite institutions.