Trump promises to transform Harvard, imposing a 15% cap on international students to enhance American institution's greatness.
President Trump Proposes 15% Cap on Foreign Students at Harvard
In a recent statement, President Donald Trump expressed his intentions to limit the number of foreign students attending Harvard University to 15%. This proposal was made in the Oval Office on Wednesday, with the President arguing that a cap would make Harvard "great again."
Currently, Harvard University's international student population represents about 27% of the total student enrollment for the 2024-2025 academic year. The President believes that this high number of foreign students is preventing American students from gaining admittance.
When questioned about his plan, Trump stated, "We have people who want to go to Harvard and other schools. They can't get in because we have foreign students there." He further elaborated that the cap would serve not only the nation but also the university, stating, "I'm looking out for the country, and for Harvard, I want Harvard to do well, to be great again."
The President's proposal has raised concerns among Harvard's international student body, with Canadian student Thomas Mete describing the situation as causing "profound fear, concern, and confusion." Many students are uncertain about their future and lack alternative plans.
Additionally, the President suggested that Harvard should stop "fighting" his administration in court, purportedly because Harvard is currently involved in lawsuits related to federal funding and international student rights.
Previously, the President has accused Harvard and other elite universities of antisemitism, blasting their "woke" ideology, and claiming they are controlled by "Marxist maniacs and lunatics." He has demanded that Harvard eliminate its diversity, equity, and inclusion program, cut the power of its professors, refuse foreign students, and ban masks at campus protests.
Harvard University has indeed been fighting back against the administration's actions, filing lawsuits to restore more than $3 billion in federal funding and reinstate its right to enroll international students. A federal judge temporarily reinstated Harvard's right to enroll international students last week, and there will be a hearing on Thursday to determine whether that order should be extended.
Trump has also targeted Harvard's endowment for tax purposes, aiming to increase taxes on the investment returns of university endowments, a provision currently being considered in the federal budget. If approved, this measure would cost Harvard, which has an endowment of $53 billion, an estimated $850 million annually.
- A concerned Thomas Mete, a Canadian student at Harvard, expressed profound fear, concern, and confusion over the proposed 15% cap on foreign students.
- Trump's proposal to limit foreign students at Harvard extends beyond education-and-self-development, as it also involves policy-and-legislation and politics.
- The President's suggestion for Harvard University to stop "fighting" his administration in court seems to be linked to ongoing lawsuits related to federal funding, international student rights, and general-news topics like diversity, equity, and inclusion.
- Trump's aim to increase taxes on the investment returns of university endowments, such as Harvard's $53 billion endowment, falls under the realm of business and could potentially impact its financial stability significantly.
