Trump threatens to ban Harvard from enrolling foreign students
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Stepping up his campaign against Harvard University, US President Donald Trump has branded the institution "a joke", which he said teaches "Hate and Stupidity" | AP/PTI Photo

Trump threatens to ban Harvard from enrolling foreign students

US Department of Homeland Security claims an “anti-American, pro-Hamas ideology” exists at Harvard and warns that Harvard can “fund its own chaos”


US President Donald Trump has threatened to ban Harvard University from enrolling foreign students after freezing its critical funding following the prestigious institution’s refusal to bow to the administration.

The US Department of Homeland Security warned that Harvard University would lose ability to enrol foreign students if it does not meet demands to share information on some visa holders.

Homeland security’s warning

The department’s secretary Kristi Noem said she wrote to Harvard demanding records on what she called the "illegal and violent activities" of Harvard's foreign student visa holders by April 30.

"And if Harvard cannot verify it is in full compliance with its reporting requirements, the university will lose the privilege of enrolling foreign students," she said.

Noem also announced the termination of two grants totalling more than $2.7 million to Harvard.

Also read: Trump wants Harvard to issue public apology; 'must follow federal law'

White House demands

"With a $53.2 billion endowment, Harvard can fund its own chaos," she said, adding an "anti-American, pro-Hamas ideology" existed at Harvard.

The White House has demanded the oldest university in the US make changes to hiring, admissions and teaching practices which it says will help fight antisemitism on campus.

Harvard’s stand

A Harvard spokesperson said the university was aware of Noem's letter "regarding grant cancellations and scrutiny of foreign student visas".

The university said it stood by its earlier statement to "not surrender its independence or relinquish its constitutional rights" while making it clear that it will comply with the law.

The Trump administration has formally told the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to revoke the tax-exempt status of the Ivy League college, citing its alleged failure to address the hostility against its Jewish students.

Also read: ‘Harvard has set an example’: Obama, on varsity’s rejection of federal demands

Trump targets Harvard

Harvard has said it worked to fight antisemitism and other prejudices on its campus but said there can be no compromise on academic freedoms and the right to protest.

CNN reported that the IRS was making plans to rescind the tax-exempt status of Harvard and that a final decision was expected soon. Harvard said there was no legal basis to rescind its tax-exempt status.

"Harvard can no longer be considered even a decent place of learning, and should not be considered on any list of the World's Great Universities or Colleges," Trump said on his Truth Social platform on Wednesday. "Harvard is a JOKE, teaches Hate and Stupidity, and should no longer receive Federal Funds."

Crackdown on universities

The Trump administration has threatened universities with federal funding cuts over pro-Palestinian campus protests against Israel's military assault on Gaza.

Trump casts the protesters as foreign policy threats who are antisemitic and sympathetic to Hamas.

The administration's attacks on Harvard are not isolated.

Also read: US govt freezes $2.2-bn grants to Harvard as varsity refuses to toe the line

Columbia University

The Trump administration's antisemitism task force, formed in February, has identified at least 60 universities for review.

In March, Columbia University, agreed to several of the administration’s demands after $400m in federal funding was pulled over accusations the university failed to fight antisemitism on campus.
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