In a major escalation in the Trump administration's efforts to pressure Harvard to fall in line with the president's agenda, the US department of homeland security has revoked the university's ability to enrol international students, and existing foreign students must transfer or lose their legal status. Homeland security secretary Kristi Noem ordered the department to terminate Harvard's Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification.
"This administration is holding Harvard accountable for fostering violence, antisemitism, and coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party on its campus," Noem said.
Trump admin bars Harvard's ability to enroll international students
The Trump administration Thursday halted Harvard University's ability to enroll international students, taking aim at a crucial funding source for the nation's oldest and wealthiest college in a major escalation in the administration's efforts to pressure the elite school to fall in line with the president's agenda.
The administration notified Harvard about the decision after a back-and-forth in recent days over the legality of a sprawling records request as part of the department of homeland security's (DHS) investigation, according to three people with knowledge of the negotiations. The people spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to discuss the matter publicly.
The latest move is likely to prompt a second legal challenge from Harvard, according to another person familiar with the school's thinking who insisted on anonymity to discuss private deliberations. The university sued the administration last month over govt's attempt to impose changes to its curriculum, admissions policies and hiring practices.
"I am writing to inform you that effective immediately, Harvard University's Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification is revoked," according to a letter sent to the university by Kristi Noem, the homeland security secretary. A copy of the letter was obtained by The New York Times.
Harvard called the action illegal. The move comes after Harvard refused to provide information Noem had previously demanded about some foreign student visa holders who attend the university, the department said. "This administration is holding Harvard accountable for fostering violence, antisemitism, and coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party on its campus," Noem said. "It is a privilege, not a right, for universities to enroll foreign students and benefit from their higher tuition payments to help pad their multibillion-dollar endowments."
"The govt's action is unlawful. We are fully committed to maintaining Harvard's ability to host international students and scholars, who hail from more than 140 countries and enrich the university - and this nation - immeasurably," the university said in as statement." About 6,800 international students attended Harvard this year, or roughly 27%of the student body, according to university enrollment data. That was up from 19.7 % in 2010.
The move is likely to have a significant effect on the university's bottom line. Tuition at Harvard is $59,320 for the school year that begins later this year, and costs can rise to nearly $87,000 when room and board are included. International students tend to pay larger shares of education costs compared with other students.
Noem posted the letter on social media later on Thursday. In a news release confirming the administration's move, the DHS sent a stark message to Harvard's international students: "This means Harvard can no longer enroll foreign students, and existing foreign students must transfer or lose their legal status."
The move marks a significant escalation of Trump govt's campaign against the elite Ivy League university in Cambridge, Massachusetts, which has emerged as one of Trump's most prominent institutional targets.
"This administration is holding Harvard accountable for fostering violence, antisemitism, and coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party on its campus," Noem said.
Trump admin bars Harvard's ability to enroll international students
The Trump administration Thursday halted Harvard University's ability to enroll international students, taking aim at a crucial funding source for the nation's oldest and wealthiest college in a major escalation in the administration's efforts to pressure the elite school to fall in line with the president's agenda.
The administration notified Harvard about the decision after a back-and-forth in recent days over the legality of a sprawling records request as part of the department of homeland security's (DHS) investigation, according to three people with knowledge of the negotiations. The people spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to discuss the matter publicly.
The latest move is likely to prompt a second legal challenge from Harvard, according to another person familiar with the school's thinking who insisted on anonymity to discuss private deliberations. The university sued the administration last month over govt's attempt to impose changes to its curriculum, admissions policies and hiring practices.
"I am writing to inform you that effective immediately, Harvard University's Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification is revoked," according to a letter sent to the university by Kristi Noem, the homeland security secretary. A copy of the letter was obtained by The New York Times.
Harvard called the action illegal. The move comes after Harvard refused to provide information Noem had previously demanded about some foreign student visa holders who attend the university, the department said. "This administration is holding Harvard accountable for fostering violence, antisemitism, and coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party on its campus," Noem said. "It is a privilege, not a right, for universities to enroll foreign students and benefit from their higher tuition payments to help pad their multibillion-dollar endowments."
"The govt's action is unlawful. We are fully committed to maintaining Harvard's ability to host international students and scholars, who hail from more than 140 countries and enrich the university - and this nation - immeasurably," the university said in as statement." About 6,800 international students attended Harvard this year, or roughly 27%of the student body, according to university enrollment data. That was up from 19.7 % in 2010.
The move is likely to have a significant effect on the university's bottom line. Tuition at Harvard is $59,320 for the school year that begins later this year, and costs can rise to nearly $87,000 when room and board are included. International students tend to pay larger shares of education costs compared with other students.
Noem posted the letter on social media later on Thursday. In a news release confirming the administration's move, the DHS sent a stark message to Harvard's international students: "This means Harvard can no longer enroll foreign students, and existing foreign students must transfer or lose their legal status."
The move marks a significant escalation of Trump govt's campaign against the elite Ivy League university in Cambridge, Massachusetts, which has emerged as one of Trump's most prominent institutional targets.
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