In a renewed attack on Harvard University, US President Donald Trump has called for the names and countries of origin of its foreign students, questioning the university’s requests for federal grants despite substantial revenue from foreign student tuition. His latest remarks are part of an ongoing feud between the Trump administration and the Ivy League school.
Trump’s Criticism of Harvard’s Foreign Students
Trump criticized Harvard for enrolling students from countries that he claims are “not at all friendly” to the United States. He pointed out that these foreign students, while benefiting from Harvard’s prestigious education, “pay nothing towards their own education” and “never intend to.” In a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, the president demanded transparency from the university:
“Why isn’t Harvard saying that almost 31% of their students are from FOREIGN LANDS, and yet those countries, some not at all friendly to the United States, pay NOTHING toward their student’s education, nor do they ever intend to. Nobody told us that!” Trump wrote. He further criticized Harvard for requesting federal funds while being financially supported by international students, urging the university to make use of its significant endowment of $52 billion instead.
Trump’s Demands for Accountability
Trump’s remarks included a call for Harvard to release the names and countries of its foreign students, describing it as a “reasonable request” given the federal government’s financial contributions. “We want those names and countries,” he added. The president argued that the university, with its substantial funding, should not need to rely on federal grants.
Escalating Tensions Between Trump and Harvard
The feud between Trump and Harvard has been intensifying for months. Just days earlier, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) revoked Harvard’s ability to enroll new foreign students and directed current international students to transfer to other universities to maintain their legal status in the US. This decision followed earlier demands by the Trump administration, including the call for Harvard to end its diversity and inclusivity policies and to curb pro-Hamas and anti-Israel protests on campus—demands which Harvard refused to comply with.
In retaliation, Trump froze more than $2.7 billion in federal aid allocated to the university and called for the revocation of Harvard’s tax-exempt status, further escalating tensions.
Harvard’s Legal Response
In response to the DHS ruling, Harvard filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, which led to a US judge temporarily blocking the order. Despite this, the controversy surrounding the status of foreign students at the university has caused significant concern among the international student community at Harvard. Thousands of international students are now left questioning their future at the university, as they may be forced to reconsider their enrollment options.
Impact on International Students
The escalating tensions have stirred panic among Harvard’s international student population, as many are uncertain about their legal status and future at the university. The uncertainty surrounding the university’s ability to enroll foreign students has left thousands reconsidering their academic plans and exploring other institutions for their studies.
Conclusion
The dispute between President Trump and Harvard University has reached new heights with the president’s demands for detailed information about the university’s foreign students. The tension underscores broader political debates about federal funding, immigration, and the role of higher education institutions in the US. As legal battles continue, both Harvard and its international students are left
