Harvard University is at the centre of a heated controversy following a Trump administration policy banning the enrollment of international students unless the university complies with stringent new requirements. The policy, which also mandates the transfer of existing international students, has drawn sharp criticism, while former Trump advisor Steve Bannon has publicly labelled the university a “disaster” in its current state.
In a recent statement, Steve Bannon, a Harvard alumnus and former advisor to President Donald Trump, lambasted the university’s reliance on international students, citing a tweet from Harvard’s official account that read, “Harvard without international students is not Harvard.”
Bannon, speaking on his platform, dismissed this claim, arguing that Harvard’s historical prominence in the 18th and 19th centuries did not depend on foreign students. “Harvard now is a disaster, and I say this as a graduate,” Bannon declared, emphasising that the university’s approximately 6,000 slots for international students should be reserved exclusively for American citizens.
The Trump administration’s directive, issued earlier this year, prohibits Harvard from admitting new international students and requires the university to provide detailed information on any foreign students involved in crimes, violence, or protests. The policy also mandates that current international students, approximately 6,000 in total, be transferred to other institutions.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has defended the measure as a national security precaution.
The DHS letter accused Harvard of perpetuating an “unsafe” campus environment for Jews, promoting “pro-Hamas sympathies”, and employing “racial” diversity, equity and inclusion policies.
While sharing the letter on X, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem accused the university of also “coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party on its campus”. She wrote, “It is a privilege, not a right, for universities to enrol foreign students… They [Harvard] have lost their SEVP certification as a result of their failure to adhere to the law. Let this serve as a warning to all universities and academic institutions across the country.”
Harvard has refused to comply with the DHS demands, instead filing a lawsuit challenging the ban’s constitutionality. The university contends that the policy violates its autonomy and unfairly penalises international students, who make up a significant portion of its student body.
According to 2024 enrollment data, China leads with 1,390 international students at Harvard, followed by Canada (751), India (578), and South Korea and the United Kingdom (264 each). For undergraduate programs, Canada contributes the largest share of international students.
The ban has sparked international outcry, particularly from China, which condemned the policy as a blow to the United States’ global image and credibility. In a statement, Chinese officials argued that the move undermines academic collaboration and cultural exchange, warning that it could deter future international students from choosing U.S. institutions.
Canada and India, the other top countries represented in Harvard’s international student body, have yet to issue official statements, but academic communities in both nations have expressed concern over the policy’s implications.
