Trump claims that foreign students at Harvard come from countries that contribute nothing toward the cost of their education in the U.S.
Donald Trump criticizes harvard over foreign student funding, demands names and financial accountability
Trump criticized Harvard University on Truth Social
The President Donald Trump criticized Harvard University for enrolling international students whose home countries, he claims, pay nothing toward tuition.
Trump shared his comments Sunday on Truth Social.
The U.S presisent targeted Harvard and similar institutions for allegedly relying heavily on U.S. taxpayer money.
Additionally, he pointed out that nearly 31% of Harvard students are international. Some of them come from nations unfriendly to the United States.
“Why isn’t Harvard saying that almost 31% of their students are from FOREIGN LANDS, and yet those countries, some not at all friendly to the United States, pay NOTHING toward their student’s education, nor do they ever intend to,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “Nobody told us that!”
Trump demands transparency on foreign students and funding
Trump called on Harvard to release the names and nationalities of its foreign students.
Additionally, he also cited concerns over transparency in federal funding.
“We want to know who those foreign students are, a reasonable request since we give Harvard BILLIONS OF DOLLARS, but Harvard isn’t exactly forthcoming,” Trump said. “We want those names and countries. Harvard has $52,000,000, use it, and stop asking for the Federal Government to continue GRANTING money to you!”
The president emphasized that it’s a “reasonable request” given the significant federal grants Harvard receives every year.
He accused the university of withholding information while benefiting from taxpayer-funded subsidies.
Court blocks Trump’s move to end student visa program
The remarks follow a legal battle between Harvard and the Trump administration over the university’s ability to enroll international students.
A federal judge temporarily halted the administration’s plan to revoke Harvard’s student visa program on Friday.
Harvard claimed the policy would impact over 7,000 international students, almost a quarter of its student body.
In court filings, the university called the action a “blatant violation” of constitutional rights and established federal procedures.
Harvard wrote: “It is the latest act by the government in clear retaliation for Harvard exercising its First Amendment rights to reject the government’s demands to control Harvard’s governance, curriculum, and the ‘ideology’ of its faculty and students”.
Homeland Security seeks data on visa holders
The Department of Homeland Security allegedly demanded behavioral and protest records for all student visa holders at Harvard.
This included both criminal and non-criminal protest activity. They also requested footage of protests involving these students.
Additionally, all disciplinary actions from the past five years were part of the demand.
Officials also requested documentation of any illegal or violent behavior, as well as records involving threats or rights violations.
However, Harvard rejected the demands. They called them “pernicious” and inconsistent with long-standing government practices.
The university claimed the move was abrupt and lacked necessary legal safeguards.
Dozens of harvard students face visa revocation
At least a dozen Harvard students have already had their visas revoked due to involvement in campus protests, according to reports.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio told Congress the administration has likely revoked thousands and would “proudly” continue doing so.
Trump allies argue the policy is necessary to secure American institutions from foreign influence and ensure compliance with U.S. law.
In a related move, the administration has frozen nearly $3 billion in federal research funding allocated to Harvard University.
Officials claim Harvard has failed to adequately address antisemitic behavior on campus. They also say the university continues to support divisive DEI programs. The funding freeze reflects a broader push by Trump allies to reshape university governance. It aims to enforce ideological accountability.