In a dramatic policy move, President Donald Trump has issued an executive order suspending the entry of foreign nationals into the United States who intend to study or conduct research at Harvard University. The decision, announced as part of a broader effort to protect national security, comes amid growing concerns over Harvard’s alleged failure to comply with federal reporting obligations related to international students.
The White House emphasized that participation in the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) is a privilege and not a right. According to Trump, this privilege requires complete institutional transparency and cooperation with the federal government. He accused Harvard of failing to meet these standards, claiming the university refused recent requests by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for detailed information about criminal and dangerous activity allegedly committed by foreign students on campus.
The executive order points to what the Trump administration views as a serious breach in trust. The refusal to furnish complete data on foreign students’ misconduct has, in the administration’s view, undermined the federal government’s ability to ensure compliance with U.S. law and safeguard national interests. According to Trump, Harvard’s reluctance either shows a lack of adequate recordkeeping or a failure to properly enforce its own codes of conduct when it comes to international students.
In his formal proclamation, Trump cited the FBI’s longstanding concerns that foreign adversaries, particularly the People’s Republic of China, use student visa programs to gain access to sensitive information through partnerships with elite American institutions. He noted that student programs can be exploited to steal intellectual property, advance foreign military capabilities, and disseminate disinformation. Harvard, in particular, was singled out for its financial entanglements with foreign governments. Reports noted that the university has received over $1 billion in funding from international sources over the last decade, including more than $150 million from Chinese entities.
The order further accuses Harvard of having trained individuals affiliated with organizations linked to the Chinese Communist Party. It also references joint research efforts between Harvard affiliates and China-based individuals that may contribute to military technological development. These ties, combined with Harvard’s refusal to release critical information on student behavior, led the administration to conclude that Harvard poses a national security risk.
The proclamation does not stop at halting new student entries. The Secretary of State is tasked with reviewing whether visas should be revoked for current Harvard students already in the U.S. under F, M, or J visas, especially if their entry began after the proclamation date. While students currently attending other universities are unaffected, any foreign national wishing to enroll at Harvard will now be denied entry unless an exception is granted on the basis of national interest.
The Trump administration also criticized Harvard for failing to discipline campus behavior effectively, alleging rising rates of violence and misconduct. The president referenced ongoing federal investigations into the university’s civil rights practices, particularly concerning discriminatory admissions policies. Despite a recent Supreme Court ruling that overturned race-based admissions—a case in which Harvard was central—the administration claims that Harvard continues to deny equal opportunity to American students.
Trump's proclamation invokes sections 212(f) and 215(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, empowering the president to restrict entry of foreign nationals whose presence is deemed detrimental to national interests. Under this order, such individuals will be barred from entering the U.S. for six months unless the measure is extended. Implementation will be managed by the Secretaries of State and Homeland Security, with potential further restrictions imposed on Harvard’s ability to participate in SEVP or the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System.
The executive order concludes with a call for interdepartmental coordination to ensure the policy is fully enforced. While some exceptions will be permitted for those whose presence is judged to serve the national interest, the core directive remains firm: foreign nationals seeking education at Harvard will no longer be welcome, at least for now. The action sends a clear message that even prestigious institutions are not exempt from federal oversight, especially when national security is at stake.
