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Newsweek
13 hours ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
Harvard Finds International Student Lifeline Amid Trump Visa Showdown
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. The Harvard Kennedy School of Government (HKS) has brokered a deal with the University of Toronto's Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy to accept foreign students should the Trump administration succeed in blocking Harvard from enrolling them. In remarks provided to Newsweek via email, HKS Dean Jeremy Weinstein thanked the Munk School—"and other partners"—for their help "to ensure that we can continue to provide all HKS students with the excellent education they deserve. In similar remarks, Munk School Dean Janice Stein said that the agreement arose out of "exceptional times" and that the school "looks forward to providing shared academic and co-curricular experiences for students from both our schools." Why It Matters President Donald Trump targeted Harvard University and other higher education institutions, aiming to limit pro-Palestinian activism and end diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices. While Columbia University in New York City agreed to work with the administration, Harvard has refused to bow to its demands. In response, Trump canceled or froze billions of dollars in grants and contracts and attempted to strip Harvard of its tax-exempt status. The president then tried to block the school from enrolling foreign students, but this past week, U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs issued a preliminary injunction that extends a temporary order she had issued earlier this month that halted Trump's June 4 proclamation blocking foreign students from attending Harvard. University spokesperson Jason Newton said in a statement to Newsweek that the order will "continue to allow Harvard to host international students and scholars while this case moves forward." Signage for the Harvard Kennedy School of Government is pictured on July 8, 2020, in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Signage for the Harvard Kennedy School of Government is pictured on July 8, 2020, in Cambridge, To Know Weinstein in a letter to students on Friday announced contingency plans in the event that the Trump administration ultimately wins its case and is able to block international students from enrolling at Harvard and it schools. Among those plans are the HKS Global program for new and returning students, in which they could take online classes and attend three intensive, in-person "convenings" in cities around the world led by HKS faculty. The other option is for returning students to attend the HKS at Munk School program, which would include a mix of online and in-person lessons taught by HKS faculty and instructors from the University of Toronto. "We are announcing these contingency plans now to alleviate the uncertainty many students feel, but we will not officially launch these programs unless there is sufficient demand from students who are unable to come to the United States due to visa or entry restrictions," Weinstein wrote. "If these programs become necessary, I am fully confident that we will provide a world-class HKS experience for any student who participates in them." According to information available on the HKS website, the goal of this program is to ensure students still receive their Harvard diplomas, which can only happen if students take "a certain percentage of their courses exclusively with HKS faculty"—excluding the possibility of students bypassing the issue by using the "visiting students" program at Munk. HKS currently enrolls students from over 100 countries, comprising an average of 52 percent of classes, according to a school spokesperson. In a YouGov poll surveying 3,717 American adults on May 23, 57 percent found it unacceptable for the federal government to block a university's ability to enroll international students, while the remainder of those surveyed were split evenly between finding it acceptable or saying they were unsure. What People Are Saying Weinstein, in comments shared with Newsweek: "At Harvard Kennedy School, we bring together the world's best students –– from the United States and across the world –– and train them to tackle the world's biggest problems. With these contingency plans in place, HKS will be able to continue to provide a world-class public policy education to all of our students, even if they cannot make it to our campus this year. We are deeply grateful for the support of the Munk School and other partners, who are helping to ensure that we can continue to provide all HKS students with the excellent education they deserve." Stein, in comments shared with Newsweek: "These are exceptional times. If Harvard Kennedy School international students are not able to complete their studies in Cambridge. Mass., the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy looks forward to providing shared academic and co-curricular experiences for students from both our schools." Tricia McLaughlin, Department of Homeland Security assistant secretary, said in a previous statement to Newsweek: "It is a privilege, not a right, for universities to enroll foreign students and benefit from their higher tuition payments to help pad their multibillion-dollar endowments. The Trump administration is committed to restoring common sense to our student visa system; no lawsuit, this or any other, is going to change that. We have the law, the facts, and common sense on our side." Trump wrote on Truth Social last week: "Many people have been asking what is going on with Harvard University and their largescale improprieties that we have been addressing, looking for a solution. We have been working closely with Harvard, and it is very possible that a Deal will be announced over the next week or so." He added: "They have acted extremely appropriately during these negotiations, and appear to be committed to doing what is right. If a Settlement is made on the basis that is currently being discussed, it will be 'mindbogglingly' HISTORIC, and very good for our Country. Thank you for your attention to this matter!" What Happens Next The case will continue to work its way up to the Supreme Court, where Harvard University and the Trump administration will seek a final resolution. Should the administration succeed, the university will have these programs ready to launch. As Trump indicated in his Truth Social post, the university and administration may reach a deal before the case is settled in court.
Boston Globe
20-06-2025
- Politics
- Boston Globe
As Harvard notches a legal win over White House, Trump says ‘HISTORIC' deal is close
Trump's post did not elaborate on the claimed negotiations, of which there has been no public acknowledgment by either side since Harvard in April rejected White House demands to overhaul its governance, amend its admissions and hiring practices, and change its disciplinary procedures — all in response to what the Trump administration alleges is a longstanding culture of antisemitism, racial discrimination, and political bias at the school. Harvard has vowed to fight back and has sued the administration both for But, Trump said, an agreement ending all that could be near. Advertisement 'They have acted extremely appropriately during these negotiations, and appear to be committed to doing what is right,' Trump said on Truth Social. 'If a Settlement is made on the basis that is currently being discussed, it will be 'mindbogglingly' HISTORIC, and very good for our Country.' Advertisement Spokespeople for the White House, the Department of Education, and Harvard did not respond to requests for comment on Friday afternoon regarding Trump's post. The John Harvard statue in Harvard Yard. Heather Diehl for the Boston Globe While it was not clear if the two developments are related, the post came shortly after Harvard notched a legal win in the international students lawsuit: an order from US District Judge Allison Burroughs allowing Harvard to host foreign students until its lawsuit against the administration is decided, giving the students a green light to return this fall, at least for now. 'The Court order allows Harvard to continue enrolling international students and scholars while the case moves forward,' Harvard spokesperson Sarah Kennedy O'Reilly said in a statement. 'Harvard will continue to defend its rights — and the rights of its students and scholars.' A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security did not respond to a request for comment on Friday afternoon. Harvard sued the Trump administration in May, after Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem announced that the university had lost the right to enroll students and that existing international students would have to leave or transfer. She The university, meanwhile, argued the move was unlawful, and Trump was using his position to pursue Friday's court order prevents the Trump administration from making any effort to block Harvard from hosting international students. Burroughs also ordered the administration to prepare guidance for federal staff to restore visa holders and applicants to their positions prior to its May announcement. Advertisement The injunction follows In a Banning international students would have a significant impact on Harvard's student body, which includes nearly 7,000 foreign students, roughly a quarter of its total student population. The move would disproportionately impact schools such as the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, where international students account for Harvard Kennedy School of Government is one part of the university that would be especially hard-hit by a ban on foreign students. Suzanne Kreiter/Globe Staff The Trump administration is likely to appeal the order next week, said David Super, a Georgetown University law professor who focuses on constitutional and administrative law. 'We will likely have some indication from, certainly the First Circuit, but most likely the Supreme Court, as to how they feel about this case,' Super said. 'That may well make the outcome of a trial more or less a foregone conclusion.' And, indeed, given the uncertainty and heightened scrutiny around student visas generally, some students may simply decide to pursue their studies elsewhere, denting Harvard's international population even if the school prevails in court. Current and incoming Harvard students Friday said they were pleased by the news, even if they are still concerned about the future. Advertisement 'I feel anxious, but I stay hopeful,' Enos said he has been planning to pursue a master's degree in education leadership at Harvard and is scheduled to fly to Boston from Nairobi early next month. 'Policies change fast, and that's unsettling,' he said. 'My future and sense of belonging are on the line. Still, I am grateful for Harvard's support. I know I matter here. I focus on my studies and keep moving forward. I believe international students like me make Harvard stronger.' Karl Molden, a rising Harvard junior from Austria, was in Athens, Greece, for a summer internship when he learned about the order. 'It's been like a roller coaster for feelings and emotions, and in this case more like an up,' said Molden, 21, who's studying government and classics. 'But I think it's also going to go down again. We're not going to celebrate too much because it's just temporary.' Education Secretary Linda McMahon. JOHNNY MILANO/NYT Aside from Trump's Truth Social post Friday afternoon, there has been little outward sign that Harvard and his administration are anywhere near resolving their conflict. Earlier this week, in an McMahon said she 'had a good sit down with the chancellor [of Vanderbilt University],' adding that she feels 'good about a lot of the steps that they have taken.' She added that she has met with presidents from MIT, Dartmouth, and Northwestern. Advertisement 'I think universities are taking a look at their own practices and looking at things like right to assemble, and where and when,' McMahon said. By contrast, she said, 'Harvard is the only one that has not only threatened, but did file a lawsuit.' (In April, MIT joined other universities in a Previously, Aidan Ryan can be reached at
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
'Clinging to hope': Harvard students slam latest Trump visa ban
Donald Trump's late night proclamation blocking Harvard's new international students has sparked fear and anger among existing students left in limbo amid the escalating showdown between the US president and their university. Alfred Williamson, a Welsh-Danish physics and government student in his second year at Harvard, said he was "clinging onto the hope that Harvard will win this fight and that I will get to return next semester." Harvard had won a reprieve from a judge who paused an earlier bid by Trump to revoke the university's ability to sponsor the school's large international student population -- 27 percent of the total. "Then the Trump administration does whatever it can to crush those dreams," Williamson, 20, told AFP of Trump's proclamation Wednesday alleging that "Harvard's conduct has rendered it an unsuitable destination for foreign students and researchers" and also threatened existing international students with visa cancellations. "This represents another authoritarian instance of executive overreach, which punishes international students for attending a university that refuses to bow down to the administration," said Williamson who is vacationing outside the United States. He said "Trump is targeting Harvard because it has the integrity to stand up to his unlawful and un-American demands." Harvard has been at the forefront of Trump's campaign against top universities after it defied his calls to submit to oversight of its curriculum, staffing, student recruitment and "viewpoint diversity." The government already cut around $3.2 billion of federal grants and contracts benefiting Harvard and pledged to exclude the Cambridge, Massachusetts, institution from any future federal funding while threatening its tax-exempt status. - 'Campaign of retaliation' - On Thursday, Harvard added the latest measure to legal action against the Trump administration, arguing in a court filing that "this is not the Administration's first attempt to sever Harvard from its international students." It called it part of a "campaign of retaliation." A graduate student at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government from India who declined to be named said: "I just read this latest news. We have not received anything from Harvard yet, but this isn't surprising -- albeit concerning." "I knew it was going to be a long summer." One international student who declined to be named for fear of retribution raised the plight of international students who had moved their lives to Harvard, leaving for the summer break, and now faced uncertainty following Trump's order. "What about students who went home for the summer? There's a risk they won't be able to come back," said the student who is currently seeking to renew their own visa. Legal experts said Harvard would need to explore a range of options to protect its foreign students alongside the legal action. "(They) need to act quickly on an administrative level to explore options for its international student population which could possibly include program deferrals, transitions to online instruction, or other alternatives to ensure academic continuity," said attorney Khensani Mathebula, who works with the Laura Devine Immigration firm. "Staying informed and proactive is essential in protecting (students') academic and immigration status." A US Harvard student of government going into her fourth year who is friends with many international students, Olivia Data, said "this news is heartbreaking and scary." "Our friends and classmates are being used as collateral in a dictator's grab for power, and none of us know where it will end or whether our university can protect its students in our current political system," she said. gw/sla
The Sun
06-06-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
‘Clinging to hope': Harvard students slam latest Trump visa ban
NEW YORK: Donald Trump's late night proclamation blocking Harvard's new international students has sparked fear and anger among existing students left in limbo amid the escalating showdown between the president and their university. Alfred Williamson, a Welsh-Danish physics and government student in his second year at Harvard, said he was 'clinging onto the hope that Harvard will win this fight and that I will get to return next semester.' Harvard had won a reprieve from a judge who paused an earlier bid by Trump to revoke the university's ability to sponsor the school's large international student population -- 27 percent of the total. 'Then the Trump administration does whatever it can to crush those dreams,' Williamson, 20, told AFP of Trump's proclamation Wednesday alleging that 'Harvard's conduct has rendered it an unsuitable destination for foreign students and researchers' and also threatened existing international students with visa cancellations. 'This represents another authoritarian instance of executive overreach, which punishes international students for attending a university that refuses to bow down to the administration,' said Williamson who is vacationing outside the United States. He said 'Trump is targeting Harvard because it has the integrity to stand up to his unlawful and un-American demands.' Harvard has been at the forefront of Trump's campaign against top universities after it defied his calls to submit to oversight of its curriculum, staffing, student recruitment and 'viewpoint diversity.' The government already cut around $3.2 billion of federal grants and contracts benefiting Harvard and pledged to exclude the Cambridge, Massachusetts, institution from any future federal funding while threatening its tax-exempt status. Harvard did not respond to calls for comment Thursday, but said Wednesday that Trump's proclamation was 'retaliatory.' A graduate student at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government from India who declined to be named said: 'I just read this latest news. We have not received anything from Harvard yet, but this isn't surprising -- albeit concerning.' 'I knew it was going to be a long summer.' - 'Grab for power' - One international student who declined to be named for fear of retribution raised the plight of international students who had moved their lives to Harvard, leaving for the summer break, and now faced uncertainty following Trump's order. 'What about students who went home for the summer? There's a risk they won't be able to come back,' said the student who is currently seeking to renew their own visa. Legal experts say a legal challenge from Harvard is all but inevitable. 'In response to the proclamation, we foresee Harvard University pursuing similar legal action by filing a lawsuit in federal court and seeking a preliminary injunction to temporarily block enforcement,' said Laura Devine Immigration attorney Khensani Mathebula. 'In parallel, the university will need to act quickly on an administrative level to explore options for its international student population.' A US Harvard student of government going into her fourth year who is friends with many international students, Olivia Data, said 'this news is heartbreaking and scary.' 'Our friends and classmates are being used as collateral in a dictator's grab for power, and none of us know where it will end or whether our university can protect its students in our current political system,' she said.
Straits Times
06-06-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
‘Clinging to hope': Harvard students slam latest Trump visa ban
Harvard students are left in limbo amid the escalating showdown between the US president and their university. PHOTO: AFP NEW YORK - Mr Donald Trump's late night proclamation blocking Harvard's new international students has sparked fear and anger among existing students left in limbo amid the escalating showdown between the US president and their university. Mr Alfred Williamson, a Welsh-Danish physics and government student in his second year at Harvard, said he was 'clinging onto the hope that Harvard will win this fight and that I will get to return next semester'. Harvard had won a reprieve from a judge who paused an earlier bid by Mr Trump to revoke the university's ability to sponsor the school's large international student population – 27 per cent of the total. 'Then the Trump administration does whatever it can to crush those dreams,' Mr Williamson, 20, told AFP of Trump's proclamation on June 5 alleging that 'Harvard's conduct has rendered it an unsuitable destination for foreign students and researchers' and also threatened existing international students with visa cancellations. 'This represents another authoritarian instance of executive overreach, which punishes international students for attending a university that refuses to bow down to the administration,' said Mr Williamson who is vacationing outside the United States. He said 'Trump is targeting Harvard because it has the integrity to stand up to his unlawful and un-American demands'. Harvard has been at the forefront of Mr Trump's campaign against top universities after it defied his calls to submit to oversight of its curriculum, staffing, student recruitment and 'viewpoint diversity'. The government already cut around US$3.2 billion (S$4.1 billion) of federal grants and contracts benefiting Harvard and pledged to exclude the Cambridge, Massachusetts, institution from any future federal funding while threatening its tax-exempt status. 'Campaign of retaliation' On June 5, Harvard added the latest measure to legal action against the Trump administration, arguing in a court filing that 'this is not the Administration's first attempt to sever Harvard from its international students'. It called it part of a 'campaign of retaliation'. A graduate student at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government from India who declined to be named said: 'I just read this latest news. We have not received anything from Harvard yet, but this isn't surprising – albeit concerning.' 'I knew it was going to be a long summer.' One international student who declined to be named for fear of retribution raised the plight of international students who had moved their lives to Harvard, leaving for the summer break, and now faced uncertainty following Mr Trump's order. 'What about students who went home for the summer? There's a risk they won't be able to come back,' said the student who is currently seeking to renew their own visa. Legal experts said Harvard would need to explore a range of options to protect its foreign students alongside the legal action. '(They) need to act quickly on an administrative level to explore options for its international student population which could possibly include program deferrals, transitions to online instruction, or other alternatives to ensure academic continuity,' said attorney Khensani Mathebula, who works with the Laura Devine Immigration firm. 'Staying informed and proactive is essential in protecting (students') academic and immigration status.' Ms Olivia Data, a US Harvard student of government going into her fourth year who is friends with many international students, said 'this news is heartbreaking and scary'. 'Our friends and classmates are being used as collateral in a dictator's grab for power, and none of us know where it will end or whether our university can protect its students in our current political system,' she said. AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
