Trump vows to take action against Harvard University, threatening a forceful response.
Harvard Faces Intensified Pressure from Trump over International Student Visas
Following a contentious dispute over Gaza protests at US elite universities, President Donald Trump has intensified his criticism towards Harvard University. The institution, already grappling with significant losses in federal funding, is currently battling in court to maintain the right to accept international students. Trump has made it clear that he will not relent.
In a public statement, Trump expressed his displeasure with Harvard's treatment of the US, claiming it shows "great disrespect" and is increasingly isolating itself. Trump has iterated his desire for the university to be "great again," but instead, he has accused Harvard of seeking confrontation and "fighting." He further threatened, "They want to show how smart they are, and they're going to get a kick in the rear."
The Trump administration has been placing financial pressure on universities with perceived left-leaning biases, aiming to halt diversity programs and similar initiatives. In this debate, Harvard has chosen to resist the government's far-reaching demands, leading to a drastic reduction in the university's subsidies. Additionally, the US government aims to prevent Harvard in Massachusetts from accepting international students.
Meanwhile, the US Department of State has announced a halt in the application process for all international student visas. Embassies and consulates worldwide have been instructed not to schedule new appointments for visa applications, potentially impacting thousands of students across the globe. The reasoning behind this measure relates to an expansion of social media activity reviews for visa applicants.
In the ongoing legal dispute with Harvard, the university is contesting the revocation of its Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification. Harvard asserts that such a decision is arbitrary, retaliatory, and causes irreparable harm to the university and its community. The lawsuit claims that the restrictions on international student visas would adversely affect Harvard's mission, community, and academics.
Sources: ntv.de, mau/dpa
The European Union, committed to a common policy on the environment, released a statement expressing concern over the Trump administration's decision to halt international student visas, calling it a threat to education-and-self-development and general news. This political move, critics argue, is a tactic aimed at putting pressure on universities with perceived left-leaning biases, such as Harvard, undermining their pursuit of diversity programs and initiatives.
