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Aashish Ganeshan
1 June 2025 |
The following note was first published as a part of The World This Week #313 Vol 7, No 22, 01 June 2025
US: Harvard vs Trump Administration
Aashish Ganeshan
What happened?
On 22 May, the Trump administration prohibited Harvard University from accepting new international students as it revoked the university's certification under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). Department of Homeland Security (DHS) accused the University of violating federal regulations concerning security screening, foreign influence, and antisemitism. The Trump administration asked Harvard to submit a list of all international students and restrict the number of foreign students to 15 per cent in the same announcement.
In response, Harvard filed a lawsuit in a federal court. On 23 May,to prevent further government action against the university until after additional hearings, a federal judge issued a temporary restraining order against the Trump administration
On 27 May, following these actions, federal funding totaling USD three billion, including research grants and academic partnerships, was frozen. A national discussion concerning political interference in higher education and the function of prestigious universities like the Ivy Leagues had been picked up fire.
What is the background?
First, a brief note on the SEVP program. It is a federal program that permits colleges to accept foreign students on F, M, and J visas. Institutions must use the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) database to comply with US immigration reporting requirements and be SEVP certified to participate. Every year, about 7,000 international students arrive in the US to attend Harvard, mostly from China, India, and Canada. These students, who make up almost 27 per cent of its entire student body, are essential to its reputation around the world and its research output.
Second, tensions between Trump and the US universities. Trump sees prestigious universities, especially Ivy League, as liberal bastions that are antagonistic to traditional American values.. He stands against Universities’ affirmative action, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. Trump calls it as "woke indoctrination" on college campuses. Trump contends that these universities that "hate America" act as gatekeepers for an aloof elite class and prioritize globalism over patriotism, alleging that these universities are continually growing towards CCP (Chinese Communist Party) owing to the presence of Chinese students.
Third, the role of the judiciary. Judiciary has emerged as a major opposition to Trump’s proposed policies. Courts have expressed their unsureness on whether the DHS followed the right procedures and if the federal government is violating constitutional rights like free speech and due process.
What does it mean?
First, the implications of the Trump’s policies on foreign students. For international students, the situation has created uncertainty over visa security, research continuity, and graduation prospects. Many are at risk of losing their academic advancements and progress, as well as being deported. For research labs, innovation, and academic diversity, universities such as Harvard rely on talent from around the world. Reducing or eliminating foreign students undermines global competitiveness and the quality of education.
Second, the economic ramifications of Trump’s policies. The US Department of Commerce estimates that in 2023, foreign students made over USD 40 billion in economic contributions to the US. They spend money on housing, groceries, transportation, and services that boost local economies in addition to tuition, especially in college towns like Cambridge. Limiting the number of international students not only jeopardizes academia but also the financial ecosystems closely linked to it.
Third, Trump’s appeasement towards conservative section of the US society. The altercation serves to further Trump's reputation as a cultural warrior. He is appealing to conservatives who view elite universities as haughty, exclusive, and politically radical by focusing on Harvard. He frames the battle as a component of a broader effort to "reclaim" American institutions from liberal elitism.
Fourth, the impact on US institutions. Trump administration’s move calls into question the independence, standing, and capacity of the educational institutions to operate as an international organization. The issue represents a larger conflict between academic freedom and state control, between nationalism and globalism, and between institutional knowledge and populist rhetoric.
About the author
Aashish Ganeshan is enrolled at the Department of Political Science, Madras Christian College.
