This week, The Wall Street Journal criticized President Trump’s administration following an incident involving Harvard University, where international students were barred from enrolling.
The editorial board expressed that the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) recent withdrawal of Harvard’s accreditation under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) has disturbed the future prospects of foreign students at various educational institutions.
In a piece published Friday, they described the action as a “myopic attack” on one of the United States’ significant advantages: its ability to attract top talent from around the world.
The editorial emphasized that a majority of Harvard’s international students are enrolled in graduate programs, many of which support vital research in the sciences. “Kicking them out could disrupt important research projects and possibly lead some professors to seek positions at other universities,” they noted, hinting that this action could be aimed at undermining Harvard’s research funding.
The White House responded on Saturday, suggesting the editorial board should pay closer attention to its own news reporting.
White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson remarked, “The Wall Street Journal’s editorial board should reflect on their reporting. Harvard has become a hotspot for anti-American and anti-Semitic rhetoric that jeopardizes the safety of American students.” She expressed that, despite prior warnings, the university had failed to address ongoing issues and would now face repercussions.
Trump intensified his ongoing conflict with Harvard this week by blocking its ability to register international students. DHS Secretary Kristy Noem indicated that the administration holds elite institutions accountable for issues such as “violence, anti-Semitism, and affiliations with the Chinese Communist Party.”
She mentioned the possibility that international students at Harvard could transfer elsewhere or lose their legal status due to the loss of SEVP certification.
In response, Harvard labeled the administration’s measures as “illegal,” filing a lawsuit on Friday morning. Shortly after, a federal judge temporarily halted the revocation of Harvard’s SEVP accreditation.
US District Judge Alison Burrows granted a Temporary Restraint Order (TRO) until further discussions could be held. A hearing scheduled for May 29 aims to determine whether an extended suspension is warranted.
Jackson reiterated that Trump was elected by the American people, stating, “These unelected judges don’t have the authority to impede the Trump administration’s legitimate immigration and national security policies.”
The Journal’s editorial board has critiqued Trump on various grounds, including his handling of customs and the pardons issued on January 6. They also speculated that while Harvard might prevail legally, many students entangled in legal matters have done nothing wrong.
They alerted that the administration’s actions could ultimately harm the country’s capacity to draw “talented youth” who contribute their expertise and innovation to the US.
The board pointed out that, in 2022, non-citizens represented over half of the PhDs awarded in AI-related fields, many of whom went on to work for American companies like Nvidia or launched their own businesses.
For months, Harvard has resisted pressure from the Trump administration, which has included threats to its research funding and tax status.
Updated at 11:28am
