Trump Suspends Visas for New Harvard International Students Amid Escalating Legal Battle

Harvard University's Business School is seen April 15 in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

President Donald Trump has signed a sweeping proclamation suspending the entry of nearly all new international students enrolled at Harvard University, escalating a high-stakes clash between the administration and the prestigious Ivy League institution. The move, announced Wednesday by the White House, blocks most foreign students from entering the United States under F, M, and J visas—standard classifications for academic and exchange visitors.

The order directly targets Harvard’s ability to welcome new international students, who currently make up about 27% of the university’s total enrollment. It also instructs the Secretary of State to consider revoking existing visas for current students who meet undisclosed “criteria” outlined in the proclamation.

This unprecedented action follows a federal judge’s recent decision to block the administration’s attempt to strip Harvard of its certification to host international students through the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). That ruling temporarily shielded the university from enforcement actions by the Department of Homeland Security, which had accused Harvard of noncompliance in turning over foreign student conduct records.

Trump’s proclamation accuses Harvard of failing to report disciplinary issues involving international students, underreporting data, and fostering an academic environment that allegedly tolerates antisemitism and “radicalism.” The administration further criticized Harvard’s continued focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion policies, which the proclamation labels as “illegal and immoral discrimination.”

The order exempts foreign students attending other U.S. universities under SEVP and allows for discretionary waivers in cases deemed “in the national interest.” Still, its immediate impact on Harvard’s global academic standing and its current population of nearly 10,000 international scholars and students is significant.

According to the proclamation, the visa suspension will last six months, pending further recommendations from the Attorney General and the Secretary of Homeland Security. The administration maintains that the action is necessary to “safeguard national security,” citing vague concerns over foreign influence on U.S. academic institutions.

Harvard has pushed back fiercely, accusing the administration of retaliatory behavior that violates the university’s First Amendment rights. Harvard is also engaged in separate litigation over the federal government’s decision to freeze more than $2.2 billion in funding and threaten the university’s tax-exempt status.

International reaction has been swift. China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the move, stating that “educational cooperation should not be politicized,” and reaffirming the importance of U.S.-China academic ties.

This latest development follows Trump’s broader campaign targeting elite U.S. universities. On the same day, the administration issued another proclamation banning most travel from 12 countries and tightening restrictions on seven more. It also declared that Columbia University was out of compliance with accreditation standards due to its handling of antisemitism allegations.

Harvard officials argue that stripping the university of its international scholars would not only damage its academic excellence but could weaken American higher education as a whole. University attorney Ian Heath Gershengorn told a federal court last week that the administration was creating “a different set of rules, procedures, and laws” just for Harvard.

In the 2024–2025 academic year, Harvard reported 6,793 enrolled international students. Most pay full tuition, as they are typically ineligible for federal financial aid. The Institute of International Education notes that over 75% of foreign students rely on personal or family funds, making them vital financial contributors to U.S. universities.

The administration’s growing scrutiny of elite institutions, coupled with harsh visa restrictions, has raised alarm among educators and global academic partners. Harvard has promised continued legal action and support for its international students as the case advances through the courts.