The State Department on Wednesday, July 23, opened a new investigation into Harvard University’s eligibility as a sponsor of visas through the Exchange Visitor Program, intensifying the Trump administration’s battle with the Ivy League institution.
In a statement, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said all program sponsors need to comply with government regulations and ensure they do not undermine U.S. foreign policy or compromise the country’s national security interests.
“The American people have the right to expect their universities to uphold national security, comply with the law, and provide safe environments for all students. The investigation will ensure that State Department programs do not run contrary to our nation’s interests,” the statement said. It did not outline any specific misconduct on Harvard’s part.
In an emailed statement Wednesday, Harvard said it remains committed to compliance with all Exchange Visitor Program regulations.
“This investigation is yet another retaliatory step taken by the Administration in violation of Harvard’s First Amendment rights,” a spokesperson said, adding that the university continues to enroll and sponsor international scholars, researchers and students.
The Exchange Visitor Program provides nonimmigrant visas, also known as J-1 visas, for those coming to the United States in various educational and cultural capacities, including as students, professors, au pairs, camp counselors, interns and researchers.
President Donald Trump’s targeting of higher education institutions to bring them in line with his political agenda has involved actions such as freezing of billions of dollars in federal research funding. His administration has tried to revoke Harvard’s ability to enroll international students and has focused on visa applications related to the nation’s oldest university for additional federal scrutiny.
Harvard has pushed back against the administration’s claims, including that it is not taking sufficient action against antisemitism on campus. This week, in a case that could have significant ramifications for higher education in the U.S., Harvard’s lawyers argued that the Trump administration’s reasons for withholding federal funding were “cooked up” and unconstitutional. The hearing before U.S. District Judge Allison D. Burroughs concluded without a ruling.
In May, when the Department of Homeland Security revoked Harvard’s ability to admit international students, the university sued and won a temporary block of the ban. There are more than 10,000 foreign students and scholars from over 150 countries at Harvard in the current academic year, according to its data.
Days later, the State Department directed its embassies and consulates to undertake extra scrutiny of visa applicants requesting travel to Harvard, including students, faculty, workers, guest speakers and tourists.
Last month, Trump issued a proclamation – which typically does not have the force of law – seeking to restrict the entry of international students and scholars looking to study or research at Harvard. Soon afterward, a court blocked the administration from targeting student visas, following which the State Department instructed consulates to resume processing such applications.
Harvard says it has taken numerous steps to address antisemitism in the wake of campus protests last year over the war in Gaza. Earlier this month, the Harvard Crimson reported that the school told international students to expect enhanced screening at Boston Logan International Airport and warned them that their social media could be vetted for pro-Palestinian posts.
While Harvard’s legal fights continue, other institutions have sought to compromise with the administration. Columbia University on Wednesday agreed to pay the federal government more than $200 million to settle a dispute over funding. The deal reinstates most of the $400 million in frozen research grants and closes investigations into the school.
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