US government wants to block Harvard for foreign students-now it goes to court

Large presidents such as Franklin D. Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy or Barack Obama studied here. Prominent foreigners such as the former UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon from South Korea or the Indian industrial Ratan Tata also graduated from the venerable school in Massachusetts. But from now on access to the Harvard elite university should be blocked for foreigners. The Trump government has prohibited the university to continue to accept non-American students.

Trump’s fight against American elite universities escalated

The unprecedented escalation in the dispute between the best university of the United States founded in 1636 and its vengeful president was announced on Thursday by Minister of Homeland Protection Kristi NoEM. In a letter, she ultimately asked the university to surrender sensitive personal data about all foreign students and teachers in recent years. This also includes video recordings of all protests on campus. There is an atmosphere that is « hostile to Jewish students » And the politician claimed « racist views ». She also accused Harvard of working with the China Communist Party.

The Ministry of Homeland Protection wants to withdraw the certification of the student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) to the university. As a result, new foreign students would no longer receive a US visa. The 6800 international academics, who are currently enrolled in Harvard, would have to switch to other universities at short notice in order not to lose their residence status. « This is malignant, it is stupid and that is destructive, » protested the former US finance minister and ex-Harvard President Lawrence Summers: « This is the fabric that is made of tyranny. »

A extermination battle against the most renowned university in the United States

The decision will also have « direct and devastating » consequences for your student, also argues the university, which made legal objection to the order on Friday morning. A few hours later, federal judge Allison Burroughs temporarily stopped the visa stop with an injunction. A hearing before the court in Boston is scheduled for Tuesday. Harvard accuses the Trump government for a “retaliation campaign” for his refusal to adapt curricula and personnel selection to Washington’s anti-liberal requirements. « With a stroke, the government tries to rule out a quarter of Harvard’s student body, » the lawsuit said. But: « Without his international students, Harvard is not Harvard. »

In fact, the fight against anti -Semitism at American universities is Only a advanced reason for Trump’s extermination battle against the most renowned university in the United States. After problematic incidents in protests against the Israeli Gaza War, Harvard President Alan Garber has long since reacted. Trump is concerned with smoking the alleged breeding ground of « Marxism » and forcing it under his control. After Harvard opposed his request, he has already frozen grants of $ 2.6 billion. He also has the lifting of the tax exemption for the university checked.

Immigration lawyers advise students not to leave the USA

In the short term, Harvard can get lost with a lavish foundation capital of $ 50 billion. The exclusion of foreign students would not only change the international character of the campus at the gates of Boston, but would also question the entire business model of the university. The tuition fees there are currently – without accommodation and meals – $ 59,000 per semester. Many American students receive discounts and scholarships. Foreign young academics who do not receive such funding therefore provide a disproportionate share of financing.

There have been extreme uncertainty, chaos and fear among the students in Harvard since the announcement of the visa stop. According to American media reports, chat groups are discussed feverishly about possible strategies. The spring semester in Harvard officially ends next Monday. Usually, however, students can stay in the USA over the summer break if they are enrolled for the upcoming autumn semester. How the legal status of the foreign academics will be in the coming week is completely unclear. Immigration lawyers advise the students not to leave the United States for the time being because they could be prevented from being reinforced.

Bruce Bartlett: « That will soon happen at any other US university »

The conservative economist Bruce Bartlett, who once advised Republican President Ronald Reagan and HW Bush, has a dark advice for future interested parties: « International students who are looking for a first-class English-speaking university should look at Oxford, Cambridge, the University of Toronto and other non-American universities. » The Trump critic is convinced: « What happens in Harvard will soon happen at any other US university. »