Trump Administration Escalates Feud with Harvard University, Targets Visa Holders

The US State Department has begun reviewing all Harvard University-affiliated visa holders, not just students, in a move that further escalates the administration's feud with the Ivy League university. This review comes on the heels of the administration's decision to direct federal agencies to cancel all remaining federal contracts with the university, totaling about $100 million. The move is seen as a significant escalation of the Trump administration's tactics aimed at deterring international students from studying at universities in the US.

Key Takeaways:

• The US State Department is reviewing all Harvard University-affiliated visa holders, not just students, in a move that further escalates the administration's feud with the Ivy League university.
• The review comes after the Trump administration directed federal agencies to cancel all remaining federal contracts with the university, totaling about $100 million.
• Harvard argued that revocation of its certification in the Student and Exchange Visitor Program was "clear retaliation" for its refusal of the government's ideologically rooted policy demands.
• The administration's actions have thrown the lives of Harvard's international students - who make up 27% of the university's enrollment - in disarray.
• Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced plans to "aggressively revoke visas for Chinese students" in a major escalation of tensions with Beijing.
• The State Department previously said that security vetting for visas "runs from the time of each application, through adjudication of the visa, and afterwards during the validity period of every visa issued."

Statistics:

• 27% of Harvard's enrollment is made up of international students (Source: Harvard University)
• The Trump administration has targeted Harvard University, canceling all remaining federal contracts totaling about $100 million (Source: CNN)
• The State Department has announced plans to expand social media vetting for visa applicants (Source: CNN)

Sources:

• CNN: Female CNN correspondent reports on US State Department's review of Harvard University-affiliated visa holders
• Fox News: First reported the State Department's review of Harvard University-affiliated visa holders
• Harvard University: Provided context on the impact of the Trump administration's actions on its international students