Donald Trump’s government He prohibited Harvard University enrolled from foreign students, In a serious escalation in the conflict that faces the president with the educational institution for several months for ideological issues and has made Harvard the spearhead of antitrumpism in the United States.
The decision was communicated in a letter sent Thursday to Harvard and signed by the Secretary of National Security, Kristi Noem, That he says: “I write to notify you that, with immediate effect, the Harvard University program of foreign students and visitors has been revoked.”
“This means that Harvard You can no longer enroll foreign students and that current foreign students must move or lose their legal status, “notes a statement from the United States National Security Department (DHS).
Because?
To the usual accusations of tolerating or promoting anti -Semitism on its campus, the Trump government introduced a new element, such as that of the alleged Chinese interference:
“This administration,” says the DHS statement, “considers Harvard responsible for promoting violence and anti -Semitism, and to coordinate with the Chinese Communist Party on its campus. “
“It is a privilege, not a right, that universities enroll foreign students and benefit from their highest registration payments to increase their multimillionaires endowments. Harvard had many opportunities to do the right thing. He refused, “says Noem.
This bankrupt and proterrorists to physically harass and add people, including many Jewish students. “
What could be the consequences?
The university, one of the oldest and most prestigious of the United States, recognized the damage that this measure can assume: “This action of retaliation threatens to seriously damage the Harvard community and the country, Like undergoing our academic and researcher mission he said to The New York Times JAson Newton, director of relations with the media of the institution.
It is not clear the immediate scope of “transfer” for students They are currently studying a career.
According to the information provided by the University itself, andn This current course there are six thousand 793 foreign students registeredequivalent to 27.2% of the student body.
The measure could also reach Other consequences.
Economy
Harvard enrollment is US $ 59 thousand 320 for the school year that begins at the end of 2025, and students can Ascend to almost US $ 87 thousand if accommodation and food are included, According to the same newspaper.
This gives an idea of economic blow that can be for Harvard, or any other prestigious university, or “elite”, the prohibition to enroll foreigners.
The university, cited by Univision, He said the lack of that income “It would result in a decrease in financial aid for students, the abandonment of critical medical research programs and the loss of innovation opportunities. “
Domino effect
Another consequences, as the University points out, is that this measure would impact not only on educational work, but also It could be extended “to other universities and institutions of higher education American that for more than a century have not paid most taxes “, for being exempt, states Univision
Last month it was revealed that at least 60 educational establishments in the US. They would be in the sights of the Donald Trump government.
In fact, this Friday also the government He sued Columbia University for allegedly violating the Civil Rights Law, Before “a hostile environment” that Jewish students live.
Noem was clear: “That this serves as a warning to all academic universities and institutions throughout the country.”
Prestige
Studying in many of the US universities has been the dream and the objective of thousands of people around the world, either through scholarships or for having enough resources To cover the expenses.
However, these actions They send a negative message to the world about studying in the United States.
China said Friday that the US government’s decision to prohibit Harvard University enroll “It will only damage the international image and credibility of the United States.”
“Definitely You will change the perception of students that (they could) consider studying there: the United States is becoming a less attractive place for higher education, “he told AFP Karl Molden, a Harvard Austrian student, who has requested to enter the British Oxford.
Fear and uncertainty
One of the most immediate effects is that the measure puts in suspense Thousands of foreign students in the US universities.
Wilson, 27 and arrived in the US of Taiwan, prepared for two years to be accepted. As soon as he has been in the United States for three months And if Trump’s threat materializes, he should return home.
“I’m still in shock And a little sad, Because I have many plans here. I am not prepared to return, “he says EFE This arts and science student.
In interviews sought by the press, Few students want to speak and many of those who lend themselves to do so prefer to pronounce only with their name or under the condition of anonymity.
Although the measure will not affect students who are about to graduate this year, The others would have to be located in other schools in the country.
“Basically what the government is doing is limiting the capacity of the United States To progress by preventing some of the brightest minds from coming here, study and advance to the country, “a student told EFE.
*With information from EFE and AFP.