In a recent proclamation, President Trump announced a suspension of entry for foreign nationals seeking to study or participate in exchange programs at Harvard University. This decision is based on the university’s failure to adequately report incidents of misconduct among foreign students and the rising crime rates on campus, which have raised national security concerns. The President emphasized that Harvard’s lack of transparency undermines the federal government’s ability to monitor compliance with laws governing foreign student admissions.

The proclamation underscores the importance of adhering to federal regulations concerning the Student Exchange Visa Program (SEVP) and references warnings from the FBI about the potential exploitation of American educational institutions by foreign adversaries. President Trump noted that Harvard’s hesitance to provide requested data on foreign students’ illegal activities poses a broader risk to national security. Consequently, the federal government has deemed Harvard an unsuitable steward of international student programs, leading to the decision to restrict foreign student admissions.

The suspension is set to last for six months unless extended and specifically targets new foreign students entering Harvard, while allowing exceptions for those whose entry is considered in the national interest. This move reflects ongoing concerns about how foreign funding and affiliations may influence academic institutions and their responsibilities towards national security. The university’s history of receiving significant contributions from foreign governments, particularly from China, is also cited as a factor in this decision.

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