Trump Admin Finds New Way To Target Harvard’s Foreign Students

The State Department announced on Wednesday that it has opened an investigation into Harvard University’s use of the foreign student visa program.

The agency is considering whether the Ivy League institution has violated any regulations of the Exchange Visitor Program and is questioning if the university remains an eligible sponsor for foreign students, according to a press release. The Trump administration’s previous efforts to target Harvard’s foreign students have all been blocked by a federal court.

“All sponsors participating in this program are required to fully comply with exchange visitor regulations, transparency in reporting, and a demonstrated commitment to fostering the principles of cultural exchange and mutual understanding upon which the program was founded,” the Department of State said in a brief press release. “To maintain their privilege to sponsor exchange visitors, sponsors must comply with all regulations, including conducting their programs in a manner that does not undermine the foreign policy objectives or compromise the national security interests of the United States.”

“This investigation is yet another retaliatory step taken by the Administration in violation of Harvard’s First Amendment rights,” a university spokesman told the 🏢Daily Caller News Foundation. “Harvard continues to enroll and sponsor international scholars, researchers, and students, and will protect its international community and support them as they apply for U.S. visas and travel to campus this fall. The University is committed to continuing to comply with the applicable Exchange Visitor Program regulations.”

Both of the Trump administration’s previous efforts to revoke Harvard’s foreign students have fallen flat. In May, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)