Washington, D.C. – U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced a ban on new visas for foreign nationals planning to attend Harvard University, intensifying his administration’s confrontational stance toward the higher education sector.
In a late-evening statement, Trump said the measure is intended to curb the entry of students coming to the U.S. “solely or principally” to study at Harvard or participate in its exchange programs. The proclamation, which took immediate effect, applies to individuals seeking to enter the country under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP).
Trump’s move marks another escalation in his administration’s fraught relationship with academia—Harvard in particular. The Ivy League institution has frequently clashed with the White House over issues including academic freedom, foreign collaboration, and research autonomy.
The directive also warns that current international students at Harvard could face visa reviews, with the potential for revocation. Citing national security concerns, Trump accused Harvard of withholding information regarding alleged misconduct by foreign students and claimed the university is failing to cooperate with federal inquiries.
“It is not in the interest of the United States to allow an academic institution to undermine fair access for American students,” the proclamation stated. Trump also alleged that Harvard continues to engage in discriminatory practices that disadvantage certain American groups while maintaining high levels of foreign student enrollment.
The order appears to target only Harvard University. However, it comes amid broader efforts by the administration to tighten visa regulations for international students. Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently pledged to intensify scrutiny of student visas, particularly for Chinese nationals.
Just last week, a federal judge extended a temporary block on Trump’s attempt to bar Harvard from admitting new international students, highlighting the ongoing legal and political battle over the issue.
