US Administration Freezes Harvard Funding, Bars International Visas Amid Antisemitism Claims

The Trump administration has escalated its ongoing feud with Harvard University by cutting all remaining federal contracts worth $100 million and barring the school from enrolling international students, citing Harvard's failure to address antisemitism and alleged noncompliance with federal requests. These actions have sparked widespread protests among students and prompted Harvard to file a lawsuit alleging First Amendment violations. The Department of Homeland Security revoked Harvard's certification to participate in the Student and Exchange Visitor Program, threatening to force about 6,800 international students, over a quarter of the university's population, to transfer or leave the U.S., although a federal judge issued a temporary restraining order against this ban. This crackdown has also jeopardized Harvard's athletic programs, heavily reliant on international student-athletes, potentially decimating many varsity teams. Harvard maintains that the government's actions are unlawful and is actively working to support affected students amid mounting legal battles. The conflict underscores broader political tensions over diversity, equity, and inclusion policies, as well as the university's role in controversies surrounding campus activism and international enrollment.