Trump administration warns Harvard about international student funding

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was photographed outside the White House on March 10. The Trump administration has issued a warning to Harvard University about admitting international students, escalating tensions between the school and Washington. This comes after a string of conflicts between Harvard and the administration over allegations of anti-Semitism and discrimination. Harvard has insisted it has taken steps to address these issues and criticized the administration’s demands as excessive interference in the university’s affairs. In response, Harvard President Alan Garber stated that the university will defend its independence and constitutional rights. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem penned a letter to Harvard cautioning that their acceptance of international students is dependent on compliance with federal immigration laws. Noem emphasized that hosting foreign students is a privilege, not a right. The administration also announced the cancellation of two grants to Harvard totaling over $2.7 million, citing the institution as unfit to receive taxpayer funding. This move is part of a broader pattern of threats by the Trump administration to withhold federal funding from universities that do not adhere to its directives. Harvard relies heavily on revenue from international students to support its significant endowment, Noem highlighted in her correspondence.