WASHINGTON D.C. – In a striking move that could significantly reshape the landscape of international education in the United States, President Donald Trump has proposed capping the percentage of foreign students at elite institutions like Harvard University at just 15 percent. This statement was made in the Oval Office on Wednesday, as Trump fielded questions about his administration’s decision to revoke Harvard’s certification for enrolling international students.
Harvard currently hosts approximately 6,800 foreign students, who constitute about 27 percent of its total student body. Trump justified his proposed cap by asserting that the home countries of these students are not adequately investing in Harvard or other U.S. educational institutions. He also suggested that the presence of foreign students prevents qualified American students from gaining admission to top-tier universities.
According to U.S. media outlet Bloomberg, these claims are part of a broader campaign by the president to pressure Harvard into implementing specific policy changes. This pressure comes alongside earlier actions by the administration, which controversially barred Harvard from enrolling foreign students, citing issues of violence and antisemitism on campus.
Broader Visa Scrutiny on the Rise
The remarks about Harvard align with a wider tightening of U.S. visa policies affecting international students. Simultaneously, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the U.S. will begin revoking the visas of Chinese students. Rubio stated that students with connections to the Chinese Communist Party and those studying in “critical fields” would be among the primary targets.
In a strong statement issued Wednesday, Rubio declared that the U.S. intends to “aggressively revoke visas” and “revise visa criteria to enhance scrutiny of all future visa applications from the People’s Republic of China and Hong Kong.” U.S. media outlet Politico weighed in, suggesting that “Even if just a threat, Rubio’s announcement is likely to decisively end the popularity of U.S. universities and colleges for Chinese students.”
Furthermore, the Trump administration has already instructed embassies and consular sections globally to temporarily cease scheduling student visa application interviews, signaling a comprehensive review of the process.
Data from the U.S.-based Institute of International Education (IIE) highlights the potential impact of these policies. During the 2023-2024 academic year, there were over 277,000 Chinese students in U.S. schools, representing about 25 percent of all international students, making them the second-largest group. While this was a four percent decrease from the previous year, Chinese students remain a substantial cohort. Students from India comprise the largest group, with over 330,000 enrolled in the same academic year. Overall, the IIE reported a record high of approximately 1.1 million foreign students in the U.S. during 2023-2024.
The administration’s latest pronouncements indicate a significant shift in U.S. policy towards international student enrollment, particularly impacting students from specific countries and those attending highly selective institutions.
