The US government has stopped processing student visas in response to protests at Harvard University and a wider clampdown on foreign students. Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued an order on Tuesday directing embassies and consulates to halt all new student and exchange visa appointments until further notice. This move follows the revocation of hundreds of visas linked to protests against the war in Gaza, with the government accusing some students of supporting the Palestinian militant group Hamas.
The White House is also canceling financial contracts with Harvard, estimated at $100 million, as part of its effort to pressure the university over control of its curriculum, admissions, and research. Harvard students gathered in protest, chanting slogans and holding signs criticizing President Trump’s actions. The administration’s campaign includes revoking Harvard’s accreditation in the Student and Exchange Visitor program, affecting thousands of international students.
A federal judge has issued a temporary restraining order on these actions, with a hearing scheduled for Thursday, the same day as Harvard’s commencement ceremony. Meanwhile, government officials have emphasized redirecting public funds toward vocational and trade schools that focus on practical skills, dismissing programs they consider misaligned with “American values.”
The crackdown has left many international students uncertain about their future in US universities. Some fear deportation or transferring to other schools. Harvard has mounted legal challenges against these measures, which experts predict could be overturned in court. Alumni groups also plan to sue the government, aiming to protect the university and its international community.
This suspension marks a significant escalation in tensions between the US government and one of its most prestigious educational institutions. It raises questions about the future of international students and the role of higher education amid shifting political priorities.
