Following the Department of Homeland Security’s attempt last week to restrict the esteemed university’s ability to accept international students, President Trump took fresh jabs at Harvard University on Sunday, stating that he wants to know precisely who the foreign students it accepts are.
“Why isn’t Harvard saying that almost 31% 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,” Trump stated.
“Nobody told us that! 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. We want those names and countries. Harvard has $52,000,000, use it, and stop asking for the Federal Government to continue GRANTING money to you!”
According to Harvard’s online statistics, approximately 6,800 overseas students were enrolled during the 2024–2025 academic year, making up nearly 27% of the total student body.
Harvard tuition is covered by those students and their families. The majority of international students studying in the US pay full tuition, which may help to offset the costs for domestic students.
Simultaneously, other analysts have pointed out that if Trump’s attempts to bar international students from Harvard are successful, it may be possible for more American students to enroll there.
Trump’s accusations of antisemitism and prejudice on campus have been the fuel for his ongoing assault against the oldest and wealthiest university in the country.
Although Harvard has more than $52 billion in endowment, the institution may suffer from Trump’s attempts to stop receiving government research money and attacks on international students.
Related Story: Harvard Prohibited from Admitting Foreign Students Under Trump Rule
Harvard launched a legal appeal on Friday, and a federal court temporarily delayed the attempt to bar foreign students from attending Harvard.
In addition, the university is challenging the Trump administration for freezing billions of government funds after Harvard refused to stop its diversity programs.
Many others believe that Trump’s activities pose a threat to higher education in general, as institutions try to take measures to appease the president over a variety of problems, such as pro-Palestinian protests on campus.
