Scaring the Scholars: How Trump Lays Siege to Universities
"Admitted mistakes to companions: Events transpired contrary to my expectations"
In the era of President Trump, universities across America tremble. Funding cuts, dismissals of financial administrators, and political pressure campaigns weigh on their shoulders. Two PhD students — a German from Princeton and an American from New York — share their experiences of Trump's education policy.
Vincent Heddesheimer, a German pursuing his doctorate at Princeton, shares his perspective. He recalls a poster on a lamppost near his home, displaying measures to take if Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers appear. As a political scientist, he's spent four years at a top-tier university. However, the environment has shifted, with unease seeping into conversations. Talks of flying home for vacation or emigrating have become commonplaces. "You can sense it," Heddesheimer tells ntv.de, referring to the atmosphere of apprehension.
In New York, Coco Fitterman vividly recalls when her friends from abroad hesitated to sign a call for a ceasefire in Gaza. Back then, she dismissed their fears as paranoia. "I said, 'Nothing will happen,'" she remembers, "but I was wrong." In early March, Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia student and participant in Gaza protests, was arrested, despite holding a valid residence permit.
The Trump Administration's Educational Blitzkrieg
The Trump administration's actions have reverberated across universities, signaling a change that instills fear. The citing of violent protests as justification for attacks on educational institutions is a recurring narrative within the administration.
istrten Nielsen, the Secretary of Homeland Security, announced at the end of May that Harvard could no longer accept foreign students. The decision was framed as a "warning" to universities nationwide. Yet, not all institutions or persons within the U.S. education system face the same magnitude of change.
Frozen Funds, Cancelled Contracts
Since Trump assumed office, billions in research funds have been frozen, contracts terminated, and universities threatened with the loss of tax benefits and the disclosure of sensitive information. Trump's tactics include using funds unrelated to his demands as leverage. For example, he withholds funds for cancer research at institutions perceived as left-leaning. Even members of his own party have raised concerns over individual measures, but Trump's denunciation of universities as elitist and left-wing enjoys broader support, particularly among the general public.
Rocky Road for Europeans
Heddesheimer, an international student, tries to fly under the radar in the U.S. He abstains from drinking alcohol on the street and feels safe within his Princeton bubble. Although uncertainty prevails regarding the future of funding for universities like Princeton, Heddesheimer maintains faith in the institution. As summer research plans come together, most Europeans will probably return to the U.S.
In contrast, Coco Fitterman, an American student at New York City University, questions her confidence in the public education system. The institution where she works, the Language Center aimed at improving education for minorities, faces funding cuts and potential closure in August. The Department of Education, responsible for funding, was dismantled in March, leaving little chance for extension approval. "It's terrible for the students," says Fitterman, particularly for students from working-class families, who may face even steeper paths to graduation following the Language Center's dissolution.
The Trump administration's actions target international students and public education institutions more so than elite universities. But within these institutions, it's often the foot soldiers of the education system who bear the brunt of his aggressive policies.
- Donald Trump
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Enrichment Data:
The Trump administration's policies towards universities have created a climate of fear and uncertainty among international students, fostering apprehension about their academic and immigration status. Some key aspects of these policies include:
Fear and Uncertainty
- Ban and Visa Restrictions: The administration has imposed bans on entering the U.S. for citizens from certain countries and heightened visa restrictions for others, leading to "catastrophic uncertainty" among international students[1]. Such measures fuel concerns about expressing political views or engaging in certain activities, as studying online or traveling could potentially lead to visa denial.
- Social Media Vetting: The proposed expansion of social media vetting for visa applicants adds another layer of scrutiny, stoking fears that expressing certain political opinions online could negatively impact visa decisions[4].
- Harvard University Targeting: The administration's targeting of Harvard University, including restrictions on foreign student visas, further exacerbates fear among international students across the U.S.[2].
Potential Deportation
- Visa Revocation Threats: Trump's intentions to "aggressively revoke" Chinese students' visas — and potentially current Harvard students who meet certain criteria — heighten the risk of deportation for international students, particularly during a time when many are renewing or seeking visas[1][2].
- Legal Challenges: Legal battles waged by international students and educational institutions serve as temporary relief but also contribute to ongoing uncertainty as battles unfold[1].
- Impact on Enrollment: The cumulative effects of these policies generate a "chilling effect" on international student applications and enrollment, affecting colleges and universities' financial planning and diversity initiatives[3].
The Commission has also been consulted on the draft directive regarding the Trump Administration's policies towards education-and-self-development, as the administration's actions towards universities have raised concerns about the safety and academic future of international students. In light of these policies, politics too have become intertwined with education-and-self-development, as the general news highlights increased immigration enforcement and visa restrictions that foster apprehension among students.
