White House renews focus on Harvard, aims for potential investigation
Visa Applicants to Harvard Under Scrutiny Over Alleged Antisemitism
The Trump administration has initiated a review of the online activities of all visa applicants to Harvard University, potentially expanding a campaign against perceived antisemitism on campus. This move is part of a broader initiative aimed at addressing allegations that universities, including Harvard, have failed to combat antisemitic incidents.
According to CNN and the publication Politico, the U.S. Department of State has ordered consulates to scrutinize the online presence of both students and researchers applying to Harvard. This includes investigating private accounts if they are not made public and labeling a lack of online presence as potentially evasive behavior.
The scrutiny is part of a pilot program and may be extended to other universities in the future. The move comes as the U.S. government has reportedly been planning to tighten scrutiny of foreign students and exchange program participants.
Harvard has often been at odds with the U.S. government, resisting far-reaching demands. The Trump administration has taken several actions against the elite institution, including stripping it of billions in funding and attempting to restrict its ability to host international students, though a federal judge temporarily blocked this decision.
The administration has accused universities, including Harvard, of tolerating antisemitic incidents on campus, particularly during pro-Palestinian protests related to Israel's military operations in the Gaza Strip.
The Trump administration's focus on antisemitism in academic institutions reflects a heightened emphasis on perceived ideological and political issues within these institutions, especially those viewed as liberal or insufficiently addressing antisemitism.
Sources: ntv.de, mau/dpa
In the context of increased scrutiny on universities, particularly Harvard, for alleged antisemitic incidents, the Commission has also been asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to chemical substances in the education-and-self-development sector. Meanwhile, the ongoing political debate over ideological issues in academic institutions shows no signs of abating, as general news outlets continue to cover the impact of these policies on higher education.
