Boston, Massachusetts – Harvard University President Alan Garber has adamantly refused the White House’s extensive list of demands. The United States government issued a threat to ban Harvard from accepting foreign students after the university declared it would not comply with requests from President Donald Trump’s administration. The White House has insisted that the prestigious Ivy League institution make modifications to its hiring, admissions, and teaching practices to combat antisemitism on campus.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem accused Harvard of jeopardizing national security and appeasing antisemitism. The university was also asked to provide records of any “illegal and violent” activities carried out by its foreign student visa holders. International students account for over 27% of Harvard’s current enrollment.
In response to the government’s demands, President Garber stood firm, asserting that Harvard will not compromise its independence or constitutional rights. The university now faces the risk of losing billions of dollars, as federal authorities have frozen $2.2 billion in funds. President Trump has even threatened to revoke a valuable tax exemption that could potentially cost Harvard millions of dollars annually.
The White House’s criticism of Harvard is part of a broader pattern. During his presidential campaign, Trump pledged to crack down on university funding, accusing them of being unfriendly to conservatives. Since assuming office, his administration has targeted colleges where pro-Palestinian demonstrations have occurred. Some Jewish students have reported feeling unsafe and encountering harassment while on campus.
Harvard is not the only institution facing pressure. In March, Columbia University agreed to some of the administration’s demands after losing $400 million in federal funding over allegations of failing to address antisemitism. The university made changes such as replacing the head of its Middle Eastern, South Asian, and African Studies department and committing to reviewing its admission processes for impartiality.
Despite the mounting pressure, Harvard has not publicly responded to Noem’s most recent demands. The conflict between the university and the White House reflects a larger debate about the role of universities in shaping political discourse and addressing sensitive issues like antisemitism on campus. As the standoff continues, the future of Harvard’s federal funding and academic autonomy remains uncertain.