Ah, Harvard University—a hallowed institution that can’t seem to keep itself out of the headlines lately. This time, it’s embroiled in a scuffle with the Trump administration over the enrollment of foreign students. As if Ivy League politics weren’t already juicy enough, they’ve now added a federal courtroom drama into the mix during commencement ceremonies. It’s almost as if they couldn’t find a better time for legal theatrics.
Picture this: while students are tossing their caps into the air, celebrating their hard-earned degrees, a legal skirmish unfolds in a federal court just a stone’s throw away from the campus. The court extended a temporary restraining order, preventing the Trump administration from banning Harvard’s enrollment of foreign students, at least for the time being. That’s like winning the halftime show, but the full game still awaits in the legal battlefield. Harvard claims diversity makes them great, while the administration raises its eyebrows at the numbers—more on that later.
President Trump finds himself in a spat not only with Harvard but with Columbia as well. Yet, these elite institutions appear unfazed, seemingly doubling down on their stance. They must feel that a robust international roster is worth a court battle or two. It’s almost like Harvard is using commencement speakers to send not-so-subtle jabs at the 47th President, riding the waves of applause echoing across Harvard Yard. The unified chants for diversity certainly add flair to what would otherwise be a run-of-the-mill graduation day.
Harvard, steeped in historic grandeur, reports that a whopping 27% of its students come from outside the U.S. Quite the percentage, isn’t it? Now, the Trump administration wants a closer look at this peculiarity. With a desire to trim it down to 15%, they argue that national security concerns are at stake. One can only imagine the eye-rolling from the ivy-covered corners toward the White House’s side. However, the question of who really should be vetting these students—government or academia—hangs in the air, much like those tossed caps.
The controversy doesn’t end there. Harvard’s campus, despite the first-class education it offers, isn’t immune to some less-than-savory incidents, including ones that reek of anti-Semitism. So while students proudly clutch their diplomas, some can’t ignore the protests and policies sprouting on their beloved campus. Even Harvard’s own president and faculty share an epiphany moment on NPR about needing better tolerance for diverse viewpoints, including conservative ones—a group supposedly ousted to a mere 5% on campus. A small splash of red in a sea of blue, indeed.
In the end, it all circles back to funding and security. The debate on whether Uncle Sam should keep writing checks while playing watchdog continues. At the heart of the matter? The invisible Chinese social media footprint, clandestine affiliations, and an international platter that the U.S. administration isn’t quite ready to digest without closer scrutiny. The saga promises more episodes, with Harvard prepping for the sequel—the court’s final say. Meanwhile, we’ll have to see how much further Harvard will shield its foreign enrollment against the stormy winds from Washington.
