US President Donald Trump has strongly defended his administration’s controversial decision to block foreign students at Harvard University, following a judge’s suspension of the policy. The top-ranked university had challenged the move, calling it unlawful and arbitrary.
On his Truth Social platform, Trump criticized Harvard for enrolling nearly 31% of its student population from foreign countries, including some he described as “not at all friendly” to the United States. He questioned why these countries contribute nothing toward the education costs of their students, despite the vast funding the US government provides to Harvard. “We want to know who those foreign students are, a reasonable request since we give Harvard BILLIONS OF DOLLARS, but Harvard isn’t exactly forthcoming,” Trump wrote.
The block was initiated by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who revoked Harvard’s ability to enroll foreign nationals, putting the future of thousands of students—and a significant revenue source for the university—in jeopardy. This action came after Noem demanded the university provide records concerning visa holders involved in “illegal and violent activities.” When Harvard refused, the administration threatened to withhold billions in federal funding.
However, a federal judge swiftly halted the block after Harvard filed a lawsuit, accusing the government of acting in an “arbitrary, capricious, unlawful, and unconstitutional” manner.
The move is part of a broader crackdown by the White House on US universities. Officials have cited concerns over unchecked anti-Semitism and a desire to roll back diversity programs aimed at addressing historical oppression of minorities. The administration has also targeted foreign students involved in protests against the war in Gaza, accusing some of supporting Hamas, the Palestinian militant group.
Harvard, which charges tens of thousands in tuition and relies heavily on foreign students—who make up over a quarter of its enrollment—faces serious financial risks. The university’s endowment stands at $53.2 billion as of 2024, making it the wealthiest in the US, yet the frozen federal grants and contracts totaling billions threaten to impact its research and operations significantly.
The legal battle and political tensions underscore the complex intersection of national security, immigration policy, and higher education funding in America today.
