Donald Trump’s administration has intensified its ongoing standoff with Harvard University by restricting the institution’s capacity to admit international students, a decision likely to adversely affect Ghanaian students.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on Thursday announced that the oldest American University can no longer admit international students while existing foreign students must relocate to other institutions or risk losing their legal status.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) earlier warned Havard that it could lose its mandate of enrolling international students if the institution failed to collaborate with the state agency by providing disciplinary records of non-immigrant students accepted into the university. Also, Noem demanded accurate data of some of its international students believed to be involved in “violent and illegal” activities.
In a letter addressed to Havard, it has 72 hours to comply with the directives to be able gain its ability in enrolling foreign students.
Harvard University, which is America’s oldest university, accepts international students across the globe.
Official data reveal that 6,793 international students were enrolled in the 2024-2025 academic year. This number makes up 27.2% of the university’s total enrollment of foreign students. Individuals selected from 140 countries include researchers, academicians and students.
The decision has the tendency of negatively affecting existing Ghanaian students at the university and those seeking admission into the prestigious university.
The decision according to the university is politically motivated and has no legal merit. Havard has condemned the action by the Trump led government to regulate the university’s ‘’intellectual conditions’’.
The university reassured international students of its dedication to promote an equal learning environment for all.
The withdrawal of Harvard’s certification happens to be one of the most drastic measures by Trump’s administration in its ongoing feud with high-class universities over immigration and institutional independence.
