Trump Administration⁤ Targets Harvard University Funding

Updated June 05, 2025

Harvard University is facing ⁤increased⁣ scrutiny from the Trump administration, which threatens federal funding cuts and the revocation ⁣of its tax-exempt status. The administration’s ⁢actions include a proclamation that suspends the entry of foreign nationals seeking to study or participate in exchange programs at the Cambridge, Mass.-based university.

The proclamation, effective immediately, will be reassessed after 90 days and will expire in six months unless⁣ extended. It specifically targets ‍individuals attempting to enter the U.S. through the Student Exchange visa Program ⁣(SEVP) to attend Harvard. The directive does not affect students attending other universities via SEVP. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is ‍also directed to consider whether to revoke the visas of current Harvard students already in the U.S. under F, M, or J visas on a case-by-case basis.

Exceptions may be granted if rubio, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, or their designees determine that⁤ an individual’s entry is in the national interest.

Harvard has‍ nearly‍ 7,000 international students, representing over ⁤a quarter of its total⁢ enrollment.Several universities worldwide have offered to accept students impacted⁣ by the proclamation.If ⁢international students are⁣ forced to transfer, Harvard could face financial repercussions, as many pay full tuition, which can reach $87,000 annually for undergraduates and $102,000 for some graduate programs.

The Trump administration previously sought to cancel thousands of international students’ visas before reversing course. More recently, it has targeted students from China, who comprise nearly a quarter of all international students in the⁢ U.S., citing national security concerns.

Why is Trump targeting Harvard?

The administration claims that “Harvard University is no longer a trustworthy steward of international student and ⁤exchange visitor programs.” The proclamation cites concerns about crime, insufficient ⁣cooperation with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), foreign entanglements (notably with China), and alleged civil rights violations.

The proclamation asserts that “crime rates at Harvard University—including violent crime rates—have drastically risen in recent years,” and that the university “has failed to ⁢discipline at ‍least some ⁢categories⁣ of conduct violations on campus.”

It also alleges that Harvard “has refused the recent requests of the DHS for facts about foreign ⁤students’ ‘known illegal activity,’ ‘known dangerous and violent activity,’ ‘known threats to other students or university personnel,’ ⁤‘known deprivation of rights of other classmates or university personnel,’ and whether those activities ‘occurred on campus,’ and other related data.” The administration concludes that “Harvard’s actions show‍ that ⁣it either is not fully reporting⁣ its disciplinary records for foreign students or is not seriously policing its foreign students.”

The proclamation references a report by the Harvard Crimson that the university has received over $150 million in funding from foreign⁣ governments,more than any of its Ivy League peers. A university spokesperson told the Crimson that donations are used to fund financial aid as well as educational and operational expenses.The⁢ proclamation also cites ⁤a May letter from the Republican-led House Select committee on the Chinese Communist Party alleging that “Harvard repeatedly hosted and trained members of a CCP paramilitary institution.”

the proclamation claims that Harvard “continues to flout the civil ⁢rights of⁤ its students and faculty,” referencing the Supreme⁢ Court case Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. President and Fellows of Harvard College, which ruled against race-conscious admissions policies. The administration suggests that Harvard engages in “blatant” “discrimination against disfavored races” and “denies hardworking Americans equal opportunities,” while admitting students from “non-egalitarian⁣ nations.”