Trump administration revokes Harvard’s ability to enroll international students

The Trump administration has revoked Harvard University’s ability to enroll international students, according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

The details were sent in a letter to the school, and the changes impact currently enrolled international students.

“This administration is holding Harvard accountable for fostering violence, antisemitism, and coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party on its campus,” Kristi Noem, the homeland security secretary, wrote in a statement. “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.”

In a statement, Harvard said the action was “unlawful.”

“This retaliatory action threatens serious harm to the Harvard community and our country, and undermines Harvard’s academic and research mission,” the statement said. “We are fully committed to maintaining Harvard’s ability to host international students and scholars, who hail from more than 140 countries and enrich the University – and this nation – immeasurably.”

Harvard has nearly 7,000 international students, which make up about 27% of their entire student body. More than 1.1 million international students enrolled at U.S. colleges and universities in the 2023-’24 school year. They do not qualify for federal financial aid, and so for many colleges represent a crucial financial lifeline.

Last academic year, international students contributed more than $43 billion to the U.S. economy, according to NAFSA: Association of International Educators.

 

Greetings from Guhagar, India, where newly hatched turtles get some help into the sea

Far-Flung Postcards is a weekly series in which NPR's international team shares moments from their lives and work around the world.

Israel is blasting through Gaza City neighborhoods, but people have nowhere to go

Israel's military says it has gained "operational control" of 40% of Gaza City and plans to intensify its attacks in a large-scale ground offensive to fully occupy the city.

Horror, rom-coms and ‘Hamilton’ are all in theaters this weekend

This weekend, Hamilton is in theaters in honor of its anniversary, a new Conjuring horror film opens, and Dylan O'Brien stars in a twisty story about grief.

The U.S. added only 22,000 jobs last month, showing cracks in the labor market

The U.S. job market showed more signs of weakness Friday, as the Labor Department reported just 22,000 jobs added last month. Revised figures show the economy lost jobs in June, and the unemployment rate inched up to 4.3%.

Why solar flares are way hotter than researchers thought

The hottest parts of the sun are its solar flares, and a new study suggests these flares could be more than six times hotter than scientists used to believe.

Ivey, Ledbetter go to court to try and allow voucher students to participate in athletics

Gov. Kay Ivey and House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter filed the complaint in Montgomery Circuit Court against the Alabama High School Athletic Association. They are asking a judge to block the association's ruling on eligibility and pave the way for the students to participate in athletics this year.

More Education Coverage