Trump Signs Proclamation Blocking Foreign Students from Harvard, Sparking University Backlash

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ICARO Media Group
Politics
05/06/2025 20h53

**Trump Blocks Foreign Students from Harvard in Controversial Move**

In a controversial decision, President Donald Trump signed a proclamation on Wednesday to block foreign students from attending Harvard University for at least six months. The action, which invokes the Immigration and Nationality Act, has sparked significant backlash from the institution.

Harvard University immediately condemned the proclamation, describing it as an "illegal retaliatory step" that infringes on the university's First Amendment rights. "This is yet another illegal retaliatory step taken by the administration in violation of Harvard's First Amendment rights," read a statement from the university. The school affirmed its commitment to protecting its international students amidst the ongoing dispute.

According to the proclamation, the president has also directed the Secretary of State to consider revoking visas of foreign students currently in the U.S. to study at Harvard. Trump justified his decision by arguing that Harvard "is no longer a trustworthy steward" of international students, citing alleged misconduct and other concerns at the institution.

Key issues cited in the proclamation include Harvard's alleged refusal to provide information about its international students, its supposed "extensive entanglements with foreign countries," and claimed discrimination in its admissions processes. Trump also referenced an increase in crime rates at the university as a further rationale for his actions.

Last month, the Department of Homeland Security attempted to revoke Harvard's Student and Exchange Visitor Program, which permits the university to sponsor foreign students, but a federal judge issued a temporary order blocking this effort.

With this latest proclamation, the administration claims it has been compelled to act due to Harvard's purported inadequacies in managing its international student and exchange visitor programs. However, Harvard continues to refute these claims and stands firm in its resistance to the administration's actions.

The views expressed in this article do not reflect the opinion of ICARO, or any of its affiliates.

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