On June 4, 2025, President Donald Trump signed a proclamation suspending, for an initial six months, the entry of foreign nationals seeking to study or participate in exchange programs at Harvard University.The administration cited national security concerns, alleging that Harvard has “extensive entanglements with foreign adversaries,” including China, and a history of “concerning foreign ties and radicalism.”
The proclamation also directs the U.S. State Department to consider revoking academic or exchange visas of current Harvard students who meet specified criteria.
Harvard University responded by calling the proclamation “yet another illegal retaliatory step taken by the Administration in violation of Harvard’s First Amendment rights.”The university affirmed its commitment to protecting its international students.
This action follows a series of measures by the Trump administration targeting Harvard, including freezing billions of dollars in grants, proposing to end its tax-exempt status, and revoking its certification to enroll international students—a move temporarily blocked by a federal judge.
The suspension can be extended beyond six months, further impacting international students who comprise about a quarter of Harvard’s student body.
The administration’s actions have sparked legal challenges and raised concerns about the broader implications for academic freedom and the international reputation of U.S. higher education institutions.
