WASHINGTON: The United States President Donald Trump administration took a major step on Thursday by revoking Harvard University’s permission to enroll foreign students.
The Cancellation is seen as a strong move in Trump’s ongoing conflict with the world-renowned university. More than 27% of students at Harvard are from foreign countries, according to university data.
President Trump is furious at Harvard for not accepting the government’s demand to allow checks on its admissions and hiring. He believes Harvard supports anti-Israel views and promotes liberal ideas that he does not believe in.
In a letter sent to Harvard, US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said, “Effective immediately, Harvard University’s Student and Exchange Visitor (SEVIS) Programme certification is revoked.”
“As I explained to you in my April letter, it is a privilege to enrol foreign students,” Noem wrote.
“All universities must comply with Department of Homeland Security requirements, including reporting requirements under the Student and Exchange Visitor Programme regulations, to maintain this privilege,” she said.
“As a result of your refusal to comply with multiple requests to provide the Department of Homeland Security pertinent information while perpetuating an unsafe campus environment that is hostile to Jewish students, promotes pro-Hamas sympathies, and employs racist ‘diversity, equity, and inclusion’ policies, you have lost this privilege.”
Last Month, Trump had warned that Harvard could lose its right if it did not agree to government rules.
However, Harvard has yet to comment on the matter.
