Trump Admin Probes Harvard Over Student Exchange Program: 'National Interest First'

Last Updated:July 23, 2025, 22:00 IST

The US State Department is investigating Harvard's eligibility to host foreign exchange visitors in the J-1 program.

Donald Trump has escalated his crackdown on US universities. (File image/Reuters)

The US State Department launched an investigation into Harvard University’s eligibility to host foreign exchange visitors, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced, marking the latest escalation in US President Donald Trump’s campaign against elite universities.

“To maintain their privilege to sponsor exchange visitors, sponsors must comply with all regulations, including conducting their programs in a manner that does not undermine the foreign policy objectives or compromise the national security interests of the United States," Marco Rubio said, adding, “The investigation will ensure that State Department programs do not run contrary to our nation’s interests."

The inquiry targets Harvard’s participation in the J-1 exchange visitor program, which allows foreign students, scholars and researchers to study or work temporarily in the US. While the specifics of the alleged violations remain undisclosed, the White House accused Harvard of harboring “radical left" and antisemitic ideologies and failing to protect Jewish students on campus.

Donald Trump Vs Harvard

Since returning to the White House in January, Donald Trump has used federal funding and regulatory scrutiny to assert control over higher education institutions which he views as hostile to conservative values. Harvard, the oldest and wealthiest university in the country, has become a primary target. Earlier this year, the administration canceled hundreds of federal research grants at Harvard, claiming the school failed to adequately address complaints of antisemitic harassment. Officials have also threatened to revoke its accreditation, restrict international student visas and investigate alleged civil rights violations.

A separate move by the Department of Education opened national origin discrimination investigations into five universities: the University of Louisville, University of Nebraska Omaha, University of Miami, University of Michigan and Western Michigan University. The department said it would assess whether these institutions offered scholarships exclusively to students with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status or other undocumented students, potentially violating federal law.

Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)

News world Trump Admin Probes Harvard Over Student Exchange Program: ' Interest First'