Trump advocates for capping international student enrollment at Harvard to 15%
President Donald Trump has proposed a quota for foreign students at Harvard University, limiting the number to a maximum of 15%. Trump expressed concerns about the high proportion of foreign students at the university, suggesting they may pose a threat due to their countries of origin.
During a White House event, Trump questioned the composition of Harvard's international student body, inquiring about their potential links to trouble and the countries they hail from. He stated that Harvard is accepting individuals from 'radicalized' areas worldwide.
The president urged caution, stating the need to ensure these students do not create problems in the U.S., claiming that many of their home countries fail to contribute positively to the university or the nation.
These remarks come following leaked plans to put a hold on student visas, with reports suggesting the State Department aims to conduct a comprehensive review of applicants' social media accounts before granting visas [AP News, 2020]. The State Department's Tammy Bruce said the goal was to ensure that applicants comprehend the law and have benign intentions.
In the past, the Trump administration had introduced social media monitoring for students with visas involved in pro-Palestinian protests. Since Trump's return to the White House, hundreds of foreign students have experienced visa revocation [The Guardian, 2019].
The U.S. federal government has already halted over $2 billion in subsidies to Harvard, disrupting some research programs. Government contracts with Harvard amount to $100 million, which the president intends to redirect to vocational training and schools fostering American values, according to White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt [Fox News].
While this proposal could impact Indian students, who make up a significant portion of the international student population at U.S. universities [The Hindu, 2020], representatives remain hopeful that Indian students will continue to pursue academic opportunities in the U.S. due to their high demand globally [The Hindu, 2020].
Harvard University is currently engaged in a legal battle to overturn the Trump administration's efforts to restrict foreign student enrollment [CNN, 2020]. A federal judge has indicated plans to grant a preliminary injunction to prevent these restrictions temporarily [CNN, 2020]. The matter remains ongoing.
- The proposed quota for foreign students at Harvard University, as suggested by President Trump, seems to be part of a broader approach to education-and-self-development and policy-and-legislation, considering the general-news reporting about the restriction of student visas and review of applicants' social media accounts.
- President Trump's concerns about foreign students at Harvard University extend beyond the number of students from specific countries, as he has questioned their potential links to trouble and the countries they hail from, which suggests a widespread analysis of students from diverse education-and-self-development backgrounds.
- The Trump administration's policy-and-legislation towards foreign students, including the proposed reduction of international student enrollment at Harvard University, comes amidst a growing trend of learning and awareness that requires screening of applicants' social media accounts and prioritizing American values in vocational training and schools.
