Trump Demands List of Harvard’s International Students Amid Escalating Clash with University

By Staff, Agencies

President Donald Trump has intensified his confrontation with Harvard University, demanding the names and countries of origin of all its international students in a late-night post on Truth Social.

At 12:51 a.m. Sunday, Trump lashed out at the university, claiming that nearly 31% of Harvard's student body is made up of individuals from “foreign lands,” some of which he described as “not at all friendly to the United States.” He complained that these countries contribute nothing toward the cost of their students' education and demanded transparency from the institution.

“We want to know who those foreign students are,” Trump wrote. “A reasonable request since we give Harvard BILLIONS OF DOLLARS, but Harvard isn’t exactly forthcoming. We want those names and countries.”

Harvard reports that there are approximately 6,793 international students currently enrolled.

This latest outburst follows Trump’s attempt last Thursday to block Harvard from admitting foreign students altogether. His administration has threatened the legal status of these students and warned that federal funding for the university could be withdrawn if Harvard fails to meet a list of demands — including ending diversity initiatives, disbanding pro-Palestine protests, and undergoing a “viewpoint diversity” audit.

On Friday, US District Judge Allison Burroughs issued a temporary restraining order against the administration’s directive, calling it a “blatant violation of the Constitution.” She concluded that Harvard would suffer “immediate and irreparable injury” if the order were allowed to proceed.

Separately, another federal judge has temporarily blocked efforts to revoke legal status from international students across the country while litigation unfolds.

In response, Harvard faculty and administrators have rallied in support of their international students. “We are fully committed to maintaining Harvard’s ability to host our international students and scholars, who hail from more than 140 countries and enrich the university — and this nation — immeasurably,” said Jason Newton, the university’s media relations director.

He emphasized that the university is working rapidly to support its community and warned that the administration’s actions threaten Harvard’s academic and research mission.

Meanwhile, the Department of Homeland Security has accused Harvard of allowing an “unsafe campus environment,” citing alleged harassment of Jewish students by “anti-American, pro-terrorist agitators.” Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem echoed the criticism, accusing Harvard of “fostering violence, antisemitism, and coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party.”