Trump Versus Harvard: White House Threatens University with Foreign Student Ban

New Delhi: In the latest chapter of US president Donald Trump's battle against top American universities, his administration has said it will stop Harvard University from enrolling international students if the college does not agree to the government demands.

Each year, anywhere from 500-800 Indian students and scholars study at Harvard.

Trump has been feuding with the country's oldest university for rejecting his administration's requests to submit to oversight on admissions, hiring and political opinion. The government believes that these measures will help fight antisemitism on campus. Harvard is among several universities in the US where students have been vocal in protests against Israel's strikes on Palestine's Gaza – described as "genocidal" by many.

"If Harvard cannot verify it is in full compliance with its reporting requirements, the university will lose the privilege of enrolling foreign students," read a statement from the Department of Homeland Security. The Department also canceled $2.7 million worth of research grants to Harvard. It is trying to get the university to turn over records of foreign students’ “illegal and violent activities”.

Homeland security secretary Kristi Noem also accused the university of "threatening national security" and "bending the knee to antisemitism".

Trump himself called Harvard a "joke" on April 16 and said it should no longer get government money.

"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.

"Harvard is a JOKE, teaches Hate and Stupidity, and should no longer receive Federal Funds."

Earlier this week, the White House said it would freeze more than $2.2 billion in grants and $60 million in contracts with Harvard.

In a note on the university's website, its president Alan M. Garber said:

"The administration’s prescription goes beyond the power of the federal government. It violates Harvard’s First Amendment rights...No government—regardless of which party is in power—should dictate what private universities can teach, whom they can admit and hire, and which areas of study and inquiry they can pursue."

Earlier this year, Columbia University agreed to several Trump administration demands after it held $400 million in funds.

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