By Alex Ababio ( News Desk Report)
Former U.S. President Donald Trump has once again turned his attention to Harvard University, calling for greater transparency regarding its international student body. He accused the Ivy League institution of admitting large numbers of foreign students while receiving no financial contribution from their home countries.
Posting on Truth Social on Sunday morning, May 25, Trump wrote:
“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 [sic] education, nor do they ever intend to.”
His remarks followed swiftly after a controversial move by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who on Thursday revoked Harvard’s certification under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). This action, if upheld, would prevent the university from enrolling any new international students.
Trump continued his criticism by demanding that Harvard disclose details of these students.
“Nobody told us that! 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. We want those names and countries,” he insisted.
The former president also questioned the academic caliber of Harvard’s student body. Referring to a recently introduced beginner-level course, he mocked:
“The students can’t add two and two, and they go to Harvard… now, wait a minute. So why would they get in?”
Critics argue that Trump’s comments are part of a larger Republican campaign aimed at countering what they see as liberal dominance within American universities. The revocation of Harvard’s SEVP status sparked immediate legal backlash. On Friday, a federal judge issued a ruling blocking the move temporarily, allowing the university to continue admitting international students while the legal battle unfolds.
Harvard had filed a lawsuit earlier this month, describing the administration’s actions as “arbitrary, capricious, unlawful, and unconstitutional.” The university also argued that the government’s attacks threatened its First Amendment rights.
In response to the controversy, Harvard reaffirmed its support for its international student community. Executive Vice President Meredith Weenick stated:
“Our thousands of international students who hail from more than 140 countries enrich the University community, and this nation, immeasurably with their presence and contributions.”
The court’s temporary injunction now allows time for a full hearing on the legality of the administration’s decision, as pressure mounts from both legal experts and educational institutions who view the move as politically motivated.
Meanwhile, debate continues over how much influence the federal government should exert over admissions and whether elite universities should be required to disclose more about their foreign enrollees. As of now, Harvard has maintained that it will do everything necessary to retain its SEVP certification and protect its students’ rights—foreign or domestic.