Trump puts pressure again: Harvard University sets a 15% upper limit on international students

Source: Wall Street News

Trump has not only frozen over $2.6 billion in federal research funding for Harvard but now also demands that the Ivy League university cut the proportion of foreign students from the current 31% to 15%.  

According to CCTV News reports, U.S. President Trump stated on May 28 (local time) that Harvard University must disclose its list of foreign students to the government and set a 15% cap on their numbers. Trump made his position clear at the White House:  

*"I think they should set a cap of around 15%, not 31%. We have people who want to attend Harvard and other schools, but they can’t get in because of the foreign students there."*  

Trump’s latest remarks are not a spur-of-the-moment decision. Last week, he had attempted to completely ban Harvard from enrolling international students, and the proposed 15% cap now concretizes that goal. According to Harvard data, international students currently account for 27% of the student body, approximately 6,800 people—far higher than the 20% figure in 2006.  

Foreign students are not only a symbol of internationalization for U.S. universities but also a critical source of revenue, as most pay full tuition fees. Trump stated on Wednesday:  

*"I want to ensure that foreign students are people who can love our country."*  

**Harvard’s Rebuttal: The Tug-of-War Between Law and Politics**  

The restriction is part of a series of policy interventions by the Trump administration against Harvard.  

Trump has frozen over $2.6 billion in federal research funding for Harvard and repeatedly called for revoking its tax-exempt status. According to CCTV reports:  

- On May 22, the U.S. government announced the cancellation of Harvard’s eligibility for student and exchange scholar programs, banning the university from enrolling international students.  

- On May 27, U.S. officials stated that the Trump administration intended to eliminate all federal funding for Harvard. Additionally, the government has suspended new student visa interviews and is considering expanding social media reviews of international students.  

Facing Trump’s escalating pressure, Harvard has not remained passive.  

The Cambridge, Massachusetts-based institution has sued over the federal funding cuts and successfully obtained a temporary court order blocking the government’s international student ban.  

However, according to media reports, Trump remains defiant, bluntly stating:  

*"Harvard wanted to fight, to prove how smart they are, and they got crushed."*  

He also compared Harvard to another Ivy League institution, Columbia University, claiming that the latter "is working with us to find solutions," while Harvard "disrespects the country and is digging itself deeper."  

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