In Focus
Trump on foreign students' enrolled in Harvard: Chinese students awry 

On 22 May, US President Donald Trump issued an order to revoke Harvard’s longstanding tradition of accepting foreign student enrolments, especially Chinese students. This provision was proposed under the accusation that it fosters antisemitism and that they are a threat to national security, alleging their coordination with the “Chinese Communist Party.” The decision came with an ultimatum forcing current foreign students to transfer to other schools or lose their legal status.

Former Harvard President, Larry Summers, called Trump administration's move to block foreign students the most serious attack on the university to date. The Trump administration revoked Harvard's certification under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), effectively banning the university from enrolling international students. The Department of Homeland Security expressed concerns over campus safety and alleged noncompliance with federal policies as reasons for this revocation. In retaliation, Harvard filed a lawsuit challenging this decision, claiming it violated the university's First Amendment rights and was an act of political retaliation. A federal judge subsequently issued a temporary restraining order blocking the enforcement of the ban, allowing international students to remain enrolled at Harvard while the legal proceedings continue. Several US Republican lawmakers expressed concerns regarding China’s manipulation of Harvard, and in turn, using this to gain access to US advanced technology. Allegations towards Harvard have gone so far as to hold the school responsible for “turning a blind eye to vigilante CCP-directed harassment on campus.” Harvard issued no comment on this and firmly believes that the administration’s decision blatantly violates the right to free speech as guaranteed by the US Constitution.

On 23 May, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs declared that China would “safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of its overseas students and scholars.” The Ministry, Communication and Public Diplomacy, Director-General of the Department of Press, Mao Ning, said: “US actions will undoubtedly affect its image and credibility,” additionally stating that China and the US benefit from the educational cooperation equally.

On 26 May, Reuters reported on the Hong Kong Education Bureau’s decision to assimilate “top talent” into universities in China in light of Trump's decision to ban all foreign students. Universities in Hong Kong have taken the administration's decision in their favour and are working on lateral admission entries to make the transition smoother for Chinese students. The Education Bureau went further and called upon all universities in Hong Kong to introduce facilitation measures for all those eligible. The bureau contacted the Harvard Club of Hong Kong to offer support for students who have been admitted to Harvard for further studies.

Harvard enrolled 6,703 international students across all of its schools in 2024, according to the school's data, with 1,203 of those coming from China. In a statement by US Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem said: “It is a privilege, not a right, for universities to enrol foreign students and benefit from their higher tuition payments to help pad their multibillion-dollar endowments.” More Republicans made similar statements. White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson said Harvard has become: “a hotbed of anti-American, anti-Semitic, pro-terrorist agitators.”

References:
Michael Martina, “Long advantageous, Harvard's China ties become a political liability,” Reuters, 25 May 2025
“China pledges support for overseas students after Trump's Harvard curb,” Reuters, 24 May 2025
“Hong Kong urges universities to facilitate students after Harvard ban,” Reuters, May 26 2025
“China says Trump's crackdown on Harvard "will only damage" U.S.,” CBS News, 23 May 2025