How Trump targeted Harvard's foreign students and what court says now

Harvard University, known globally for its academic excellence and diverse student body, has found itself at the center of a political storm. Former U.S. President Donald Trump and his administration have repeatedly tried to restrict the university's ability to host international students — a move that directly challenges Harvard's global identity. Now, recent court rulings have provided temporary relief, but the situation remains unresolved.advertisementHOMELAND SECURITY 'S ATTEMPT TO CUT HARVARD INTERNATIONAL STUDENT PROGRAMMEOne of the major actions came from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which tried to revoke Harvard's certification to host international students under the Student Exchange and Visitor Program. This program allows institutions to issue key visa documents (like the F-1 student visa), and without it, Harvard wouldn't be able to enroll students from abroad.Harvard responded by suing the government, claiming that DHS didn't follow proper procedures. In May, a federal judge temporarily blocked DHS's action. Then, in a more recent ruling, the judge issued a preliminary injunction, halting the move until the legal case is fully resolved — which could take months or longer.
While the ruling is a win for Harvard, the judge noted that DHS still has the right to evaluate Harvard's status through regular procedures. For now, the university remains certified, but the review continues.TRUMP'S ENTRY BAN FOR INCOMING HARVARD STUDENTSadvertisementIn a separate action, Trump issued a presidential proclamation to stop new international students from entering the U.S. if they planned to attend Harvard. The administration argued that allowing these students in was not in the country's interest.Harvard quickly challenged this in court, arguing that targeting students bound for one specific school didn't meet the legal standard of banning a "class of aliens." The same judge stepped in again to pause this entry ban — with no end date set yet. Harvard is now waiting for the judge to make a longer-term decision on this case.Trump linked his efforts to concerns about antisemitism on Harvard's campus, especially during pro-Palestinian protests. But Harvard's leadership has insisted they're already working to address these issues and won't bow to political pressure.NEW VISA SCRUTINY AND DISCRIMINATION CONCERNSIn another move, the Trump administration ordered US embassies and consulates to inspect the social media accounts of anyone applying for a visa to study or work at Harvard. The idea was to screen for content that could be seen as anti-American or antisemitic.Soon after, the State Department expanded this to include all student visa applicants across the country, not just those going to Harvard. Visa applicants were told to make their social media accounts public, raising concerns about privacy and fairness.advertisementEmbassies were also told to give priority to schools where international students make up less than 15% of the student body. Since Harvard and other Ivy League schools have higher percentages of foreign students, this effectively places them at a disadvantage.WHY IT MATTERS?International students are a major part of Harvard's community — making up about 26% of the total student population. In certain programs, like public policy, business, and law, that number is even higher.Critics say the Trump administration's actions are part of a broader effort to pressure elite universities into changing campus policies related to protests, admissions, and academic hiring. Supporters argue that the government is simply holding institutions accountable. Either way, Harvard believes it's being unfairly targeted, and the courts are now playing a key role in deciding what comes next.(With AP inputs)Tune InMust Watch

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Time of India

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How Trump's visa crackdown is threatening Harvard's 7,000 plus international students and what the court just ruled

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Iran-Israel Conflict: 400+ Dead, Israel Strikes Isfahan Nuclear Facility, UN Warns Of Refugee Crisis

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The toll reflects mounting casualties as the conflict between Iran and Israel intensifies. Israel Says It Killed Three Iranian Commanders The Israeli military announced that it had eliminated a senior Iranian official responsible for military coordination with the Palestinian militant group Hamas, along with two other commanders, in overnight airstrikes. In a statement, the military said its fighter jets struck near the city of Qom, killing Saeed Izadi, the commander of the Palestine Corps of Iran's Quds Force and the key liaison between the Iranian regime and Hamas. The Quds Force operates as the foreign arm of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). During a press briefing on Saturday, a military official further confirmed the deaths of two additional Iranian commanders—Behnam Shahriyari and Aminpour Judaki—also targeted in the same round of strikes. Israel has launched a second wave of strikes on Iran's Isfahan nuclear facility, targeting two centrifuge production sites overnight, a military official revealed. 'Isfahan was among our initial targets during the first 24 hours of operations. We have now conducted a second wave of strikes to deepen the impact and inflict further damage on Iran's centrifuge production," the official said during a media briefing, speaking on condition of anonymity. Israel Targets Military Sites in Southwest Iran The Israeli military announced on Saturday that it had launched strikes on what it described as 'military infrastructure" in southwestern Iran. These strikes mark the ninth day of sustained hostilities following Israel's initial attack on Iranian territory. 'Fighter jets are currently striking military infrastructure in southwestern Iran," the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in an official statement. 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In a statement released Saturday, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) cautioned that once large-scale displacement begins, it is often irreversible in the short term. The agency noted that the intensity of the fighting has already prompted civilian movements in both countries. Early reports indicate that people have begun fleeing from Tehran and other Iranian cities, with some reportedly crossing into neighboring nations. According to Israeli assessments, the repeated air raids have severely disrupted Iran's ability to manufacture centrifuges used in uranium enrichment, dealing a significant blow to the country's nuclear infrastructure. Iran Arrests 22 Over Alleged Israeli Spy Links Authorities in Iran's Qom province have arrested 22 individuals allegedly linked to Israeli intelligence services since June 13, local police announced. Citing the province's police intelligence chief, the Fars news agency reported that those arrested face charges of collaborating with the 'Zionist regime's spy network," spreading disinformation, and supporting Israel. In a related development, the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported that a European national had also been detained on suspicion of espionage, though details such as the individual's nationality or arrest date were not disclosed. Meanwhile, the Norway-based NGO Iran Human Rights stated that at least 223 people have been arrested across the country on charges of collaborating with Israel. The group warned that the actual number of detainees could be considerably higher. (With inputs from agencies) About the Author Abhro Banerjee Covering day-to-day national and international news for the last nine years across print and digital. Associated with as Chief Sub-Editor since 2022, covering innumerable big and small events, More Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from geopolitics to diplomacy and global trends. Stay informed with the latest world news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: June 21, 2025, 20:04 IST News world Iran-Israel Conflict: 400+ Dead, Israel Strikes Isfahan Nuclear Facility, UN Warns Of Refugee Crisis