The administration of Donald Trump has revoked Harvard University’s license to admit international students, threatening their legal status in the United States
This decision has caused significant controversy in the country's educational and legal circles, as now foreigners who previously planned to study at the prestigious humanitarian center are compelled to find alternative institutions or risk losing their international legal status. This information is reported by Reuters, citing U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristjen Neom, who announced this unexpected and quite radical decree. According to official information, the order terminates the certification of the foreign student exchange program, which allows students from other countries to study at Harvard legally. The Secretary of Homeland Security accused the university of allegedly fueling "violence, anti-Semitism, and engaging in activities in cooperation with the Chinese Communist Party." She emphasized: "For universities, this is a privilege, not a right. They do not have automatic rights to admit foreign students and receive substantial financial resources from them, which help fund the institution's multi-billion-dollar budgets." Prior to this, the situation became even more complicated and distressing for the university. It is known that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has already ceased funding Harvard's grant program totaling over $60 million. The main reason cited for such a radical measure is the alleged failure of the university to combat manifestations of anti-Semitic sentiments and discrimination within its student and academic communities. In addition, in March of this year, amid financial uncertainty caused by the Trump administration's policies, Harvard announced a temporary suspension of hiring new faculty and administrative staff. This caused concern in many academic circles, as the financial crisis could negatively impact research activities and the global reputation of Harvard's community. In April, Harvard University filed a lawsuit against the administration, accusing the White House of arbitrary actions to cut federal research funding. The lawsuit claimed that the administration sought to punish the institution for allegedly defending its constitutional rights and restricting academic freedom. Harvard's lawyers regard these actions as another example of political pressure and a violation of legislative norms. Overall, this situation sparks a broad debate about the possibilities and responsibilities of American universities in the field of international education, as well as questioning Trump's administration's policies regarding the oversight of educational and humanitarian organizations within the country. At the same time, for students from other countries—especially those who had already planned or actively prepared to study at Harvard—this news acts as a censorship of their educational ambitions and a challenge in finding new academic pathways. The future of international cooperation and opening doors for foreign students in the U.S. is now under great uncertainty, becoming especially relevant amid political tensions and internal policies in Washington.