Trump Vs Harvard: China Criticizes Trump Admin's Ban On International Students, Says 'US Damages Own Image'

In view of the Trump administration's unprecedented move involving revocation of the prestigeous Harvard University’s eligibility to enrol international students, the Chinese government said Friday that the move would harm America's international standing, according to the Associated Press.

Harvard University, which owns the reputation of being the oldest and most prestigious academic institutions in the country, has been facing Trump administration’s crackdown on campus activism. The Republican administration since coming to power in January has sent letters to multiple Ivy league universities, suggesting overhauling changes in policies and curriculum. 

What Did China Say?

Educational cooperation with the U.S. is mutually beneficial and China opposes its politicization, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a daily briefing in Beijing. “The relevant actions by the U.S. side will only damage its own image and international credibility,” she said.

She added that China would firmly protect the rights and interests of Chinese students and scholars abroad but she didn't offer any details on how it would do so in this situation.

Chinese students make up a large part of Harvard University’s international student population. The university enrolled 6,703 international students across all of its schools in 2024, according to the school’s data, with 1,203 of those coming from China.

It went on to say that it becomes necessary for international students to consider other options “when policy uncertainty becomes the norm.”

Last year, the Chinese foreign ministry protested that a number of Chinese students had been interrogated and sent home upon arrival at U.S. airports.

Chinese state media has long played up gun violence in the U.S. and portrayed America as a dangerous place. Some Chinese students are opting to study in the U.K. or other countries rather than the U.S.

Trump Admin Revokes Harvard's Right To Enrol Foreign Students

In an unprecedented development, the Trump administration revoked Harvard University’s eligibility to enrol international students, telling existing foreign students to transfer or lose their legal status, a move that can impact several students from India.

This action comes after the Department of Homeland Security terminated USD 2.7 million in DHS grants for Harvard last month.

Department of Homeland Security said that its Secretary Kristi Noem is following through on her promise to protect students and prohibit terrorist sympathisers from receiving benefits from the US government.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem ordered the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to terminate the Harvard University’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification.

“This means Harvard can no longer enrol foreign students and existing foreign students must transfer or lose their legal status,” the DHS said in a statement.

6 Conditions To Be Met By Harvard

Harvard University on Thursday received a letter from the Department of Homeland Security, informing the university that if within 72 hours the university does not comply with the federal demands, the country’s oldest university will lose its privilege of enrolling international students.

1. Any and all records, whether official or informal, in the possession of Harvard University, including electronic records and audio or video footage, regarding illegal activity, whether on or off campus, by a non-immigrant student in the last five years.

2. Any and all records, whether official or informal, in the possession of Harvard University, including electronic records and audio or video footage, regarding dangerous or violent activity, whether on or off campus, by a non-immigrant student in the last five years.

3. Any and all records, whether official or informal, in the possession of Harvard University, including electronic records and audio or video footage, regarding threats to other students or university personnel, whether on or off campus, by a non-immigrant student in the last five years.

4. Any and all records, whether official or informal, in the possession of Harvard University, including electronic records and audio or video footage, regarding deprivation of rights of other classmates or university personnel, whether on or off campus, by a non-immigrant student enrolled in the last five years.

5. Any and all disciplinary records of all non-immigrant students enrolled in Harvard University in the last five years.

6. All audio or video footage in the possession of Harvard University of any protest activity involving a non-immigrant student on a Harvard University campus in the last five years.