Will the Pressure on Harvard University Affect Overseas Students?
Published in Sankei Shimbun
(Japan) on 30 May 2025
by (link to original)
(Japan) on 30 May 2025
by (link to original)
Translated from
by Dorothy Phoenix.
Edited by Patricia Simoni.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security alleged that the university failed to properly respond to the demonstrations, thus fostering antisemitism, noting that many of those instigating the protests were international students.
Some of the protests were indeed excessive, and the fact is that some Jewish students took the conduct as a threat. However, even so, it is wrong for the administration to take steps that punish all international students. The executive order must be retracted.
Harvard University sued the administration, arguing that revoking its certification to admit international students is unconstitutional, and a federal judge has issued a temporary injunction. But the Trump administration has doubled down on its confrontational posture, going so far as to terminate research and other federal contracts between the university and government agencies.
DHS has also raised concern about Harvard’s relationships with the Chinese Communist Party, and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced plans to cancel the visas of Chinese international students with ties to the Communist Party.
Harvard accepts children of CCP officials, and national security concerns have been raised that researchers may be leaking information. University officials should be held accountable for that.
The real aim of the pressure on Harvard seems to be to weaken the prestigious university, which Trump views as a “liberal mess.” It should be said that this is an act of self-destruction that will damage the soft power of a superpower that has brought together the world's best minds.
Of its actions against Harvard, the Trump administration said, "Let this serve as a warning to all universities and academic institutions across the country." The administration further halted new application interview appointments for foreign students wishing to study in the United States.
The U.S. has provided opportunities for capable people who dream of success, and has attracted researchers oppressed by despotic states. After all, hasn't that built America’s military and economic supremacy?
The freeze on research funding and aid has interrupted studies in many fields. Competition to win those lost to the United States will intensify. There are also 260 Japanese students and researchers at Harvard. Japan should seriously consider its national interests and receive overseas students and researchers, as well as account for its academic security.
Some of the protests were indeed excessive, and the fact is that some Jewish students took the conduct as a threat. However, even so, it is wrong for the administration to take steps that punish all international students. The executive order must be retracted.
Harvard University sued the administration, arguing that revoking its certification to admit international students is unconstitutional, and a federal judge has issued a temporary injunction. But the Trump administration has doubled down on its confrontational posture, going so far as to terminate research and other federal contracts between the university and government agencies.
DHS has also raised concern about Harvard’s relationships with the Chinese Communist Party, and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced plans to cancel the visas of Chinese international students with ties to the Communist Party.
Harvard accepts children of CCP officials, and national security concerns have been raised that researchers may be leaking information. University officials should be held accountable for that.
The real aim of the pressure on Harvard seems to be to weaken the prestigious university, which Trump views as a “liberal mess.” It should be said that this is an act of self-destruction that will damage the soft power of a superpower that has brought together the world's best minds.
Of its actions against Harvard, the Trump administration said, "Let this serve as a warning to all universities and academic institutions across the country." The administration further halted new application interview appointments for foreign students wishing to study in the United States.
The U.S. has provided opportunities for capable people who dream of success, and has attracted researchers oppressed by despotic states. After all, hasn't that built America’s military and economic supremacy?
The freeze on research funding and aid has interrupted studies in many fields. Competition to win those lost to the United States will intensify. There are also 260 Japanese students and researchers at Harvard. Japan should seriously consider its national interests and receive overseas students and researchers, as well as account for its academic security.
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