This article was automatically translated from HIBAPRESS, the Arabic version:
Hibapress
The American administration informed Harvard University on Thursday that it can no longer welcome foreign students, in a new episode of the showdown between the two parties.
“Harvard leaders have created a dangerous environment at the campus by allowing anti-American and pro-terrorist agitators to harass and physically attack individuals,” the department of internal security (DHS) said in a statement.
The behavior of the leaders of the university “hinders its formerly venerable learning environment”, regrets the department.
The DHS decision revokes the certification of the Harvard exchange program for foreign students and visitors, which means that the establishment can no longer register international students.
According to the notice, foreign students already registered must make a transfer under penalty of losing their legal status.
Nearly 6,800 students, or 27% of the entire student body of the oldest university in the United States, come from foreign countries, compared to 19.6% in 2006, according to Harvard data.
In a reaction to the Axios information site, University spokesman Jason Newton described the decision as “illegal”, adding that the university is “fully committed to maintaining its ability to welcome international students and academics, who come from more than 140 countries and enrich the university”.
The decision of the Federal Department is the last episode of an showdown between the university and the administration of President Trump.
Last Tuesday, the administration said that it is freezing grants estimated at $ 450 million which was intended for university. This frost comes following the decision to reduce federal funds granted to Harvard by $ 2.2 billion.
