President Donald Trump signed an executive order Wednesday barring most foreign students from entering the United States to attend Harvard University, citing national security concerns.
The order states that Harvard’s actions have made it an “unsuitable destination for foreign students and researchers.”
Without its international students, Harvard is not Harvard. https://t.co/V8uvTNaL64
— Harvard University (@Harvard) May 23, 2025
Trump accused the university of failing to comply with federal demands, including providing adequate records on alleged misconduct by international students, according to the White House.
The move follows a recent clash between the administration and the Ivy League institution, which enrolls a significant number of international students. Last week, a federal court in Boston blocked the Department of Homeland Security from restricting foreign student entry under existing immigration rules.
Trump’s new order invokes separate legal authority, escalating the administration’s ongoing conflict with Harvard.
The university has said it responded to all government requests, but federal officials have deemed its cooperation inadequate.
