ABUJA, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)-U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Tuesday directed a suspension of student visa processing, marking the latest move in a growing campaign targeting foreign students studying in the country.
The White House has intensified efforts to curtail the presence of international students at American universities, including revoking visas and deporting individuals involved in protests against the war in Gaza.
Officials have accused demonstrators of supporting the Palestinian militant group Hamas.
Rubio had previously revoked hundreds of visas, and the Trump administration has taken further steps, including attempting to block Harvard University from admitting non-American students.
A diplomatic cable signed by Rubio and obtained by AFP instructed U.S. embassies and consulates to halt “any additional student or exchange visa… appointment capacity until further guidance is issued.”
The cable also revealed plans by the U.S. government to expand social media vetting for prospective international university applicants.
The developments coincided with student-led demonstrations at Harvard, following the administration’s announcement of its intention to cancel all remaining federal contracts with the university.
The move, reportedly worth $100 million, is seen as part of President Donald Trump’s broader push to subject the institution to new federal oversight.
Protesters gathered in large numbers to oppose the measures. Signs reading “Trump = traitor” were visible among the crowd, while chants of who belongs in class today, let them stay echoed in support of international students whose academic futures have been thrown into uncertainty after the administration revoked Harvard’s accreditation under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program.
READ ALSO: Trump To Dismantle US Education Department
A judge has issued a temporary restraining order ahead of a Thursday hearing—the same day as Harvard’s commencement ceremony, which has drawn thousands of graduates and their families to Cambridge, Massachusetts.
As the protest continued under the gaze of circling news helicopters, guests in nearby Harvard Square mingled over refreshments, with graduating students in academic robes looking on.
“All my international friends and peers and professors and researchers are at risk and (are) threatened with being deported — or their option is to transfer” to another university, said Alice Goyer, one of the demonstrators, dressed in her graduation gown.
Meanwhile, the White House reiterated its stance, asserting that taxpayer funds should be directed toward vocational institutions instead of elite universities.
“The president is more interested in giving that taxpayer money to trade schools and programs and state schools where they are promoting American values, but most importantly, educating the next generation based on skills that we need in our economy and our society,” said Karoline Leavitt on Fox News Tuesday evening. “We need more of those in our country, and less LGBTQ graduate majors from Harvard University.”
A graduating history of medicine student from Britain, who identified himself only as Jack, expressed concerns that President Trump’s policies could deter international students from attending U.S. universities.
“I don’t know if I’d pursue a PhD here, six years is a long time,” he remarked.
Harvard University has mounted an aggressive legal response to the administration’s actions, filing multiple lawsuits aimed at halting what legal scholars argue are measures likely to be overturned by the courts.
Separately, alumni are preparing legal action of their own. Filmmaker Anurima Bhargava revealed during a virtual meeting hosted by Crimson Courage a grassroots alumni group that a lawsuit against Trump is set to be filed on June 9.
READ ALSO:Trump Announces $5m ‘Gold Card’ Visa To Attract Wealthy Immigrants
The group convened a mass webinar to mobilize awareness and raise funds for their cause.
– ‘American values’ –
Tuesday’s announcement to sever contracts valued at approximately $100 million, according to U.S. mediamarks a significant escalation in the administration’s move to cut business ties with the nation’s oldest university.
As part of a broader campaign targeting academic institutions accused by Trump of harboring liberal bias and anti-Semitism, Harvard has become a particular focus of the administration’s ire.
Over the past few weeks, the university has faced the freezing of billions of dollars in federal grants and the cancellation of numerous federal contracts.
In response, Harvard has initiated lawsuits to block the revocation of its ability to recruit and sponsor foreign students who make up 27 percent of its student body and to reverse the loss of federal funding.
Legal scholars believe the university has strong grounds to challenge the contract terminations.
Albany Law School professor Ray Brescia suggested Harvard could incorporate the latest cuts into its existing legal efforts.
“The case is so strong that the court system is not going to step to the side and allow this… to go forward,” Brescia stated.
He added that the legal flaws in the administration’s actions are so significant that an appellate court would likely rule against Trump if the matter were to escalate.
Despite mounting legal setbacks, Trump remained defiant on Monday, declaring he would triumph in the intensifying legal battle and alleging that Harvard’s international student body includes “radicalized lunatics, troublemakers.”
— AFP