Trump administration says it will end Harvard’s admission of international students

The Trump administration said Thursday it would end Harvard’s admission of international students, a move aimed at cutting off a key source of funding for the nation’s oldest and richest university and a major escalation in the administration’s pressure campaign to force the elite institution to comply with the president’s agenda. The move will directly undermine the ability of America’s top universities to attract the best and brightest students from around the world, furthering the administration’s efforts to upend the culture of higher education. That ability to draw together the world’s best has long been one of the main sources of America’s academic, economic and scientific strength. A Harvard University spokesperson responded immediately when reached for comment: “The government’s decision is illegal.” The school added: “We are fully committed to maintaining Harvard’s ability to host international students and scholars, who come from more than 140 countries and have made tremendous contributions to Harvard University and the country as a whole.” On April 22, Harvard University, the world’s richest university, sued the Trump administration in response to its threats to cut billions of dollars in research funding to the school. The funding cuts are part of the government’s crusade against the country’s top universities. The lawsuit marks a major escalation in the ongoing struggle between the higher education community and President Trump, who has vowed to “take back control” of elite universities.