US President Donald Trump has called for a significant reduction in the number of international students admitted to Harvard University, suggesting a cap of 15 percent, down from the current approximate 31 percent. Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump criticized Harvard for what he described as disrespect towards the United States and voiced concerns over the presence of certain foreign students he labeled as “troublemakers.”
Trump demanded that Harvard provide his administration with a detailed list of all current foreign students, including their countries of origin, implying that such transparency is necessary for national security and institutional accountability. "These countries aren’t helping us. They’re not investing in Harvard … we are," Trump stated, emphasizing the need to align international student numbers with the nation's interests.
This announcement follows heightened tensions between the Trump administration and elite universities. Since last year’s pro-Palestinian protests on Harvard’s campus, Trump has broadened his critique to other top US colleges, labeling them as hubs for leftist ideologies. He has also threatened to redirect federal funding away from these institutions toward trade schools.
Further, the government has frozen billions in grants and contracts to Harvard and warned it may withhold additional funds if the university does not share detailed information about its foreign student population or implement suggested reforms. Trump has additionally criticized Harvard for employing prominent Democrats in faculty and leadership roles.
These developments signal an escalating conflict between the federal government and prestigious academic institutions, highlighting ongoing debates about immigration, education policy, and national security.
