US President Donald Trump has defended his administration’s controversial move to block foreign students at Harvard University, after a court temporarily halted the order. The decision has sparked heated debate in academic, political, and diplomatic circles.
Posting on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump criticised Harvard for enrolling a large number of international students — reportedly 31% of its student body — without enough financial contribution from their home countries.
He questioned the transparency of the university’s international
student program and demanded details about the students’ names and nationalities.
“Harvard has $52 billion, use it. Stop asking for more from the Federal Government,” Trump wrote. He also claimed that some students came from countries "not friendly to the United States", calling it a national concern.
The issue began when Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced the revocation of Harvard's Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification, which would have stopped new international students from enrolling and placed existing ones in visa trouble.
Harvard quickly filed a case in the Boston Federal Court, calling the move a clear violation of the US Constitution and federal law. The university said over 7,000 international students would be affected, harming Harvard’s academic reputation and inclusive environment.
A federal court intervened on Friday, temporarily halting the Trump administration’s decision. Educational leaders, international diplomats, and civil rights groups strongly criticised the move, warning it would damage America’s image as a hub for global education and academic freedom.
While some conservative groups supported Trump’s "America First" policy, thousands of students are anxiously waiting for the final verdict, as legal proceedings continue in the coming days.
