BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION
The privilege of entering the United States for the purpose of research or education is not an innate right, but rather a discretionary grant from our Government, contingent upon the adherence of educational institutions to Federal law. Harvard University, regrettably, has faltered in this obligation among others.
The Student Exchange Visa Program (SEVP) is predicated on the good faith and transparency of academic institutions, alongside their full compliance with regulatory standards. This is not merely bureaucratic red tape; it is a vital safeguard for national security. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has long cautioned that foreign adversaries exploit the pathways to American higher education, utilizing these avenues to pilfer sensitive technical data, exploit costly research initiatives for their gain, and disseminate disinformation for various agendas. Notably, adversaries such as the People’s Republic of China have been implicated in leveraging student visa programs for nefarious purposes, gathering intelligence at prestigious American universities.
Protecting national security necessitates that institutions hosting foreign students provide comprehensive information to the Federal Government when requested. In my assessment, it constitutes an intolerable risk to our nation’s security when an academic institution fails to disclose sufficient information regarding misconduct committed by foreign students. This principle underscores why SEVP regulations mandate that foreign students respect Federal and State laws, and why universities must maintain and report records pertaining to foreign students’ academic conduct — including any criminal activities and associated disciplinary measures — to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) upon request.
Notably, crime rates at Harvard University, including incidents of violence, have surged in recent years. The university has also shown a troubling lack of discipline regarding certain conduct violations on its campus. Given this context, it is imperative that the Federal Government retains the ability to evaluate and, if necessary, address any misconduct or crimes committed by foreign students at Harvard.
Despite the outlined risks, Harvard University has rebuffed recent inquiries from the DHS regarding incidents of “known illegal activity,” “dangerous and violent behavior,” and other forms of misconduct involving foreign students. The university’s response included information on only three students, and the details provided were insufficient for the DHS to make informed decisions. This raises serious concerns that Harvard is either neglecting to report significant disciplinary records for its foreign students or is failing to adequately oversee their conduct. Such actions undermine the Federal Government’s ability to ensure that foreign nationals admitted on student or exchange visitor visas comply with the law.
These concerns have led the Federal Government to conclude that Harvard University can no longer be deemed a reliable steward of international student and exchange visitor programs. When an institution neglects its legal responsibilities, including recordkeeping and reporting, the ramifications extend well beyond campus borders. It threatens the integrity of the entire U.S. student and exchange visitor visa system, compromises national security, and encourages other institutions to similarly disregard the law.
Moreover, Harvard University has developed extensive ties with foreign nations, including some that are considered adversaries. Reports from The Harvard Crimson indicate that the university has received over $150 million in contributions from foreign governments in the last five years, with more than $1 billion sourced from international entities. Over the past decade, Harvard has received at least $150 million from China alone. In return for such financial support, Harvard has, according to investigations by the House of Representatives Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, “repeatedly hosted and trained members of a Chinese Communist Party paramilitary organization,” and engaged in research collaborations that may further China’s military capabilities.
Furthermore, Harvard continues to infringe upon the civil rights of its students and faculty, leading to multiple Federal investigations. The blatant discrimination against certain racial groups in admissions practices was so egregious that the Supreme Court’s ruling to abolish such practices is now commonly referred to as the “Harvard case.” Even post-ruling, Harvard and its affiliates persist in denying equal opportunities to deserving American students, favoring applicants from non-egalitarian nations, including those that actively seek the destruction of the United States and its allies. It runs counter to American interests to exacerbate Harvard’s discriminatory practices by admitting an excessive number of foreign students at the expense of local talent.
In light of these considerations, I have concluded that it is necessary to restrict the entry of foreign nationals who intend to enter the United States primarily to participate in academic programs at Harvard University or in exchange visitor programs hosted by the institution. These restrictions are authorized under sections 212(f) and 215(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), which empower the President to suspend the entry of any class of aliens whose admission would harm U.S. interests. I believe that the actions of Harvard have rendered it an unsuitable environment for foreign students and researchers. Consequently, until such time as the university complies with federal requests for information necessary to protect national security, it is in the national interest to deny foreign nationals access to Harvard under the guise of educational exchange.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, including sections 212(f) and 215(a) of the INA, and section 301 of title 3, United States Code, hereby find that without the measures outlined in this proclamation, the entry of individuals described in section 1 of this proclamation would be detrimental to the interests of the United States. Thus, their entry will be subject to specific restrictions, limitations, and exceptions. I hereby proclaim as follows:
Section 1. Suspension of Entry. The entry of any alien into the United States as a nonimmigrant to pursue a course of study at Harvard University or to participate in an exchange visitor program hosted by Harvard University is hereby suspended and limited, subject to section 2 of this proclamation. This suspension shall expire, unless extended, six months from the date of this proclamation.
Sec. 2. Scope and Implementation of Suspension and Limitation on Entry. (a) The suspension and limitation on entry as described in section 1 shall apply to aliens who enter or attempt to enter the United States to commence studies at Harvard University through the SEVP following the date of this proclamation.
(b) The Secretary of State may, at their discretion, consider whether foreign nationals currently attending Harvard University on F, M, or J visas and who otherwise meet the criteria outlined in section 1 should have their visas revoked.
(c) The suspension and limitation on entry as described in section 1 shall not apply to any alien entering the United States to attend other universities through the SEVP.
(d) The suspension and limitation on entry as described in section 1 shall not apply to any alien whose entry is deemed to be in the national interest, as determined by the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Homeland Security, or their respective designees.
(e) No later than 90 days after the date of this proclamation, the Attorney General and the Secretary of Homeland Security shall jointly provide the President, through the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, with a recommendation on whether an extension or renewal of the restrictions in section 1 remains in the interests of the United States.
Sec. 3. Operational Action to Implement this Order. The Secretary of State, the Attorney General, and the Secretary of Homeland Security shall coordinate to take all necessary actions to implement this proclamation. Additionally, they shall consider utilizing their respective authorities under the INA to impose restrictions on Harvard University’s participation in the SEVP and the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System. Any such measures should include exceptions for any alien whose entry is determined to be in the national interest.
Sec. 4. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this proclamation shall be construed to impair or affect:
(i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or
(ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.
(b) This proclamation will be implemented in accordance with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.
(c) This proclamation does not intend to, nor does it create, any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other individual.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fourth day of June, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-five, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-ninth.
DONALD J. TRUMP
