U.S. temporarily halts student visa applications, affecting global students seeking to study in America.
The Trump administration has taken extraordinary measures to gain control over prominent American universities, including revoking foreign student visas and potentially deporting those involved in protests against the conflict in Gaza, according to a cable signed by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and seen by AFP.
This secretive directive, sent to embassies and consulates, instructs them not to schedule any additional student or exchange visa appointments until further notice. The policy also intends to beef up the scrutiny of international applicants' social media profiles as part of a rigorous vetting system.
President Trump's administration has a history of cracking down on foreign students, following the recall of multiple visas earlier this year, with the most recent attempt being the restriction of Harvard University from accepting non-American applicants.
In response, China's foreign ministry issued a statement urging Washington to respect the rights of international students, including those from China, who make up a substantial portion of students attending American universities.
Hundreds of thousands of Chinese students study in the U.S., often viewing American universities as beacons of academic freedom and scholarly rigor. However, the Trump administration's sweeping decisions have led foreign governments to actively recruit the displaced students, with Japan and Hong Kong appealing to their local universities to admit more international applicants.
A doctoral student in Taiwan who was planning to attend the University of California reported feeling uncertain due to the visa freeze. Despite his concerns that the hiatus may delay his studies, he hoped for a positive outcome.
Further controversy erupted at Harvard University this week, as students protested the government's decision to cancel all remaining financial contracts with the institution. This move represents another attempt by the Trump administration to exert unprecedented oversight over the esteemed university.
Trump's animosity towards Harvard stems from the school's refusal to submit to the administration's demands regarding admissions and hiring practices. The president claims that Harvard is a breeding ground for anti-Semitism and liberal ideologies, labeling students as "radicalized lunatics" who spread anti-American ideologies.
A temporary restraining order was issued by a judge to halt the administration's actions until a hearing, which is scheduled for June 9th – the same day as Harvard's graduation ceremony for thousands of students and their families.
The White House has further escalated its stance, arguing that public funds should be allocated to vocational schools that train electricians and plumbers, rather than elite educational institutions promoting "liberal values." The administration maintains that these trade schools educate future generations in essential skills while promoting American values.
Some Harvard students fear that the Trump administration's policies could render American universities less appealing to international students in the long run. A history of medicine student from the United Kingdom, set to graduate this week, expressed concern about the prospect of pursuing a PhD in the U.S. due to the unpredictability of the situation.
Harvard itself has launched numerous legal challenges against the administration's measures, aiming to protect its ability to recruit and sponsor foreign students, as well as to restore federal funding. Furthermore, alumni plan to file a legal brief against the administration on June 9th, in an effort to show the courts the breadth of support for the ongoing legal action.
The Trump administration's hardline stance on universities has resulted in financial pressure being applied to Harvard, with the Department of Health and Human Services withdrawing $60 million in federal grants due to the alleged failure of the university to address antisemitic harassment and ethnic discrimination. In total, Harvard has seen nearly $3 billion in federal grants and contracts frozen or terminated in recent weeks.
Despite ongoing legal challenges, the impact of the Trump administration's policies on foreign students and academic collaboration remains substantial, with international students expressing fear and considering transferring to other institutions. Additionally, the dismantling of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives could have lasting consequences for academic freedom, campus diversity, and the international reputation of American universities.
- The Trump administration's policy towards universities has spread beyond revoking visas and scrutinizing social media profiles; it also extends to international politics, as the conflict in Gaza becomes intertwined with education-and-self-development, with protests against the conflict maybe contributing to the revocation of foreign student visas.
- General news outlets report on the unprecedented oversight by the Trump administration over prestigious universities, not only in terms of visa policies but also in the realm of politics, as the administration's actions affect international students and self-development opportunities, potentially impacting the international reputation of American universities.
