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Apr 17th, 2025, 3:42 PM ET·Politics

Trump Administration Escalates Actions Against Harvard Amid International Student Visa Revocations

The Trump administration intensifies pressure on Harvard, threatening tax-exempt status and visa suspensions as over 1,000 international students face visa revocations nationwide.


Last Update: 10:23 PM ET

Summary

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The Trump administration has escalated tensions with Harvard by threatening to revoke the university's tax-exempt status and freeze federal funding, amid its revocation of international student visas. President Trump cited alleged antisemitism and calls for reforms at Harvard, which has prompted fear among the university’s international community, notably 27% of its students. Legal actions are ongoing after more than 1,024 international students faced visa revocations since March. Harvard's president reaffirmed the university’s stance against the administration's demands, while the confrontation highlights broader issues of academic freedom amid growing political scrutiny of universities.

Sources (7)

Compare coverage of this story from news outlets across the political spectrum.
  • The Guardian
  • PBS NewsHour
  • CNN
  • El Pais
  • The Trump administration's visa revocation policy disproportionately targets international students involved in political activism, particularly those supporting pro-Palestine protests.
  • Many visa terminations occur without due process, posing significant risks for students, including potential detention and deportation despite the lack of any criminal charges.
  • Legal challenges are mounting against the Biden federal government's actions, arguing that these revocations represent unconstitutional ideological tests and mass removals.
Trump news at a glance: president takes aim at Harvard, threatening tax-exempt status
The GuardianThe Guardian·1M·
Leans Left
This outlet slightly leans left.

"…The move is part on an ongoing battle, and a significant escalation on Trump’s attack on Harvard and his aggressive, multi-pronged assault on higher education institutions."

Trump administration targets Harvard's tax-exempt status and international students
PBS NewsHourPBS NewsHour·1M·
Leans Left
This outlet slightly leans left.

"…The moves raise the stakes of the showdown between the White House and the nation’s oldest, wealthiest and arguably most prestigious university, which on Monday became the first to openly defy the administration’s demands related to activism on campus, antisemitism and diversity."

Why the Trump administration is revoking student visas
El PaisEl Pais·1M·
Leans Left
This outlet slightly leans left.

"…The uncertainty could severely impact the U.S. higher education system, as it could lose a generation of global talent if foreign students no longer feel safe traveling to the United States."

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Trump Administration Escalates Actions Against Harvard Amid International Student Visa Revocations - Pano News