On May 23rd, 2025, a federal judge temporarily restrained the Trump administration's decision to block foreign students at Harvard Gate.
Trump's demand to Harvard was clear: he requested information on all international students enrolled over the past five years, along with data regarding any violations of Harvard's policies or American laws by these students. However, Harvard refused to provide this information, which led the Trump administration to block the university from accepting international students.
Trump administration's Department of Homeland Security requested that Harvard University stop issuing certificates for its international students and exchange visitor program.
Kristi Noem confirmed the situation regarding homeland security in a post on Twitter (now known as X).
Department of Homeland security clearly mentioned that Harvard University loses the student exchange and visitor program for pro-terrorist conduct. In response, a Harvard spokesperson called it "unlawful" to the reporter of The Guardian.
On May 25th, Trump stated, "Almost 31% of their students are from foreign countries, and yet those countries, some of which are not friendly to the United States, pay nothing toward their education."
The number of student enrollments is increasing every year, according to Harvard data, and the number of Chinese students is also increasing every year. Trump may be referring to Chinese students as students from an unfriendly nation.