Former President Donald Trump has intensified criticism of Harvard University, suggesting the Ivy League institution should limit international student enrollment to 15%, down from what he
claims is 31%.
"Harvard should have a cap of maybe around 15%, not 31%," Trump said during a press conference. “We have qualified Americans who can’t get in because foreign students are taking their place.”
Harvard's actual data shows that international students make up 27.3% of its student body for the 2024–25 academic year, totaling 6,793 students.
Trump’s remarks followed a recent State Department directive halting new student visa appointments, reportedly to expand the vetting of applicants’ social media activity. He also called on Harvard to submit a list of its foreign students, asserting that the government needs to assess whether any pose a threat.
“We want to make sure these students love our country. We don’t want to see shopping centers explode or riots break out,” Trump added.
Earlier in the week, Trump posted on his social media platform that his administration was still awaiting a “Foreign Student List” from Harvard, implying the school was harboring "radicalized lunatics" and accusing it of disrespecting the U.S.
It remains unclear whether Trump’s proposed 15% cap would apply only to Harvard or to other U.S. universities as well.
During the 2023–24 academic year, the U.S. hosted over 1.1 million international college students, according to the Institute of International Education. This record number accounts for just 6% of the total student population, including those in “optional practical training” (OPT), a program allowing students to work in the U.S. after graduation.
While international enrollments have rebounded since the 2020–21 pandemic slump, Trump’s recent policies suggest a pivot toward restricting international student access.
Last week, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem moved to revoke Harvard’s ability to enroll international students. A federal judge temporarily blocked the action after Harvard filed a lawsuit. University President Alan Garber warned the policy “imperils the futures of thousands of students” and poses a threat to higher education across the country.
The administration’s stance has sparked broader fears within the international student community. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has called for deporting students who “abuse our hospitality,” and the Department of Homeland Security has attempted mass deportations, which were stalled by court challenges.
Adding to concerns, Joseph Edlow, Trump’s nominee for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, expressed support for ending OPT, a move that business leaders and educators warn could hinder U.S. competitiveness in the global talent market.
Trump’s current posture contrasts sharply with comments he made during his previous campaign, when he advocated for automatic green cards for foreign graduates of U.S. universities. “It’s so sad when we lose talent from places like Harvard, MIT, and other phenomenal schools,” he said in June of last year. Photo by Rizka, Wikimedia commons.