Visas of Everyone at Harvard to Be Investigated by State Department

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Source: Newsweek

Published May 29, 2025 at 2:41 AM EDT


All individuals at Harvard University with a visa are under scrutiny by President Donald Trump's administration, not just students, according to Fox News, citing senior State Department officials. The State Department will conduct a substantive investigation into Harvard's student, business, tourist and other visas to identify potential security vulnerabilities or other abuses of the system, the officials told Fox.

It comes after the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) tried to block Harvard from enrolling international students, though a federal judge has temporarily halted the move after the college filed a complaint. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has also paused all student visa appointments at U.S. consulates and embassies as his department reviews its vetting procedures.

Why It Matters

Harvard is resisting demands from the Trump administration for sweeping reforms to its governance, admissions and student discipline processes. The administration has accused Harvard of being in the grip of a leftist ideology that is damaging the institution, and has withheld billions of dollars in federal funding from the college, with a threat to go further.

What To Know

The dispute between Trump and Harvard University began in early 2025, when his administration accused Harvard of failing to adequately address antisemitism on its campus, citing "pro-terrorist conduct" at campus protests. The administration responded by freezing more than $2 billion in federal research grants to Harvard in April, and has since attempted to terminate the university's ability to enroll international students through the Student and Exchange Visitor Program. The State Department is now also investigating the B-1 (business visas) and B-2 (tourist visas) associated with Harvard University, according to Fox News. Newsweek contacted the State Department for comment outside of office hours.

Read more: https://www.newsweek.com/harvard-visas-state-department-investigation-trump-2078300