Trump defends Harvard foreign student ban

US President Donald Trump publicly defended his administration’s controversial move to bar Harvard University from enrolling foreign students, just days after a federal judge temporarily blocked the decision in response to a lawsuit from the university.

In a post shared on TruthSocial Sunday, Trump questioned Harvard's handling of international admissions and criticized the lack of financial contribution from students' home countries.

“Why isn’t Harvard saying that almost 31 percent of their students are from FOREIGN LANDS, and yet those countries, some not at all friendly to the United States, pay NOTHING toward their student’s education, nor do they ever intend to,” he wrote.

Trump went on to suggest that federal funding should come with more oversight, “We want to know who those foreign students are, a reasonable request since we give Harvard BILLIONS OF DOLLARS, but Harvard isn’t exactly forthcoming.”

The controversy began Thursday when Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem moved to revoke Harvard’s authorization to enroll foreign nationals, citing national security concerns. The action prompted swift backlash, and Harvard filed suit, calling the order "arbitrary, capricious, unlawful, and unconstitutional." A judge responded by suspending the action while legal proceedings continue.

Read more: Trump administration blocks Harvard from enrolling foreign students

Noem had previously warned that international students with ties to alleged “illegal and violent activities” could be targeted for visa revocation and potential deportation. The administration has also linked its broader campaign to a response against campus protests over the Israeli Occupation's war on Gaza, claiming such demonstrations support Hamas.

The White House’s push has included halting a portion of Harvard’s massive federal funding. So far, USD 2.2 billion in grants and USD 60 million in contracts have been frozen, with the rest of the school’s USD 9 billion in government support under review. A Harvard Medical School researcher has reportedly also been targeted for deportation.

Read more: Judge temporarily blocks Trump ban on foreign students at Harvard

International students make up a significant portion of Harvard’s student body — nearly a third — and contribute substantially to its revenue through tuition and associated fees. Analysts warn the move could damage both the university’s finances and its global academic standing.

With a USD 53.2 billion endowment as of 2024, Harvard remains the wealthiest university in the US — but the political and legal fight over foreign students could pose a serious long-term challenge to its operations and reputation.